Outkast Settle Trademark Dispute with Atlanta EDM Duo

Outkast have settled a trademark dispute involving an Atlanta-based EDM duo.

The duo goes by the name ATLIens, which is a term Outkast coined with their acclaimed 1996 album of the same name.

As per Rolling Stone, paperwork filed in a US District court in Georgia on February 19th noted the parties had "reached agreement on a general settlement framework" and were "in the process of drafting and negotiating a formal settlement agreement." Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and a judge accepted the parties’ motion to terminate the civil suit on February 20th.

Outkast sued the duo in August 2024, taking issue with them using the ATLiens name and also performing in masks, claiming it would cause confusion amongst their fanbase.

“Upon information and belief, Defendant selected the name ATLiens for their EDM duo to trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with Plaintiff’s ATLiens album, song, and mark, or, at a minimum, to call to consumers’ minds Plaintiff’s famous ATLiens album, song, and mark,” Outkast’s complaint argued. “The word ATLiens was invented by Outkast. Before Outkast created it, it was not used in the cultural lexicon and did not exist.”

Prior to the settlement, lawyers for Outkast told Rolling Stone they had tried to settle the matter amicably even before bringing litigation.

“This is a basic brand protection issue,” Abigail J. Remore and Peter Nussbaum said in 2024. “Outkast therefore had to file suit in order to protect the valuable name and trademark ATLiens that it created and has continuously used for nearly 30 years.”

Outkast's album ATLiens was a big hit for the group in 1996, debuting at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200. It sold almost 350,000 copies in its first two weeks alone.

ATLiens continues to feature in best-of album lists, including Complex ranking it No. 5 on its list of the 50 Greatest Sophomore Albums in Hip-Hop History