Outkast Settle Trademark Dispute With EDM Duo ATLiens

Outkast have settled its trademark lawsuit against an Atlanta-based EDM duo, who called themselves ATLiens, a term the hip-hop group coined with their critically acclaimed 1996 sophomore album of the same name. 

Paperwork filed in a U.S. District court in Georgia on Feb. 19 noted the parties had “reached agreement on a general settlement framework” and were “in the process of drafting and negotiating a formal settlement agreement,” according to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and a judge accepted the parties’ motion to terminate the civil suit on Feb. 20. 

Reps for both parties did not immediately return Rolling Stone‘s requests for comment. 

Outkast sued the electronic pair back in August 2024, taking issue with the DJs using the ATLiens name and performing in masks, believing 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.”