FKA Twigs is taking legal action to protect her stage name after years of intermittent disputes with indie duo The Twigs. The singer, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, has filed documents asking the court to formally confirm her right to use and register the name “FKA Twigs” without interference.
The conflict dates back to 2014, when sisters Laura and Linda Good, performing as The Twigs, filed a trademark claim against Barnett. That initial case was later dropped voluntarily, but the issue has resurfaced more than a decade later, with renewed cease-and-desist threats from the band. According to her filings, Barnett argues there is no realistic chance that audiences could confuse her work with that of The Twigs or believe the two acts are connected. She describes the ongoing pressure as relentless, noting that the band has been “hounding” her over a dispute that she considers legally unfounded.
Barnett’s legal move seeks a judicial declaration that her use of the name is lawful and cannot be challenged. She frames the renewed dispute as an attempt by The Twigs to “weaponize” a long-resolved argument about the similarity between their names. The singer’s team is asking the court to bring final clarity to the matter, aiming to end repeated claims that she is infringing on a trademark that she has long had the right to use.
The case highlights broader questions about intellectual property in the music industry, especially when stage names and trademarks intersect. While trademark law is designed to prevent consumer confusion, Barnett’s filings stress that in this case, the distinct musical identities and public recognition of the acts make such confusion highly unlikely. Observers note that disputes like this can persist for years and impose both financial and reputational costs on artists, emphasizing the importance of clear legal recognition for established stage names.
As the case moves through the courts, it will test how far trademark claims can be extended after an initial dispute has been dropped. For FKA Twigs, the fight is not just about a name, but about maintaining control over her professional identity and ending what she sees as repeated attempts to interfere with her career.
