ANGELINA Jolie is in a secret legal battle over her New York City studio as she continues her long-standing, vicious court battle with her ex Brad Pitt over their French vineyard.
The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned that Angelina, 50, has found herself in yet another protracted legal battle, this time over the name of her Manhattan art studio, Atelier Jolie, which opened in November 2023.
The Maleficent actress’s art collective is housed in a two-story graffiti-strewn building.
It encompasses a Bohemian mix of art residences, clothing design, workshops, and a cafe run by refugees.
At issue is that there is already a firm out there with the same name, and with a very similar function.
According to documents, Angelina applied to trademark Atelier Jolie in May of 2022, but when the application was finally published in the US Patent and Trademark Office gazette in March 2024, it was immediately opposed by another art business with the same name.
The other Atelier Jolie is based in Easton, Pennsylvania, and is also a trendy gallery for up-and-coming artists with an attached cafe.
The owner is Omnaia Jolie Abdou, an artist, curator and entrepreneur.
In a filing, Omnaia claimed to be operating her business, located in Easton, Pennsylvania, since 2021 under the Atelier Jolie moniker.
According to documents filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office, Omania demanded that Angelina’s trademark application be refused.
The notice of opposition filing stated: “Since at least as early as 2021, Opposer has been regularly and continuously using the mark ATELIER JOLIE.
“Opposer’s ATELIER JOLIE mark is primarily used to identify and promote art and design studio goods and services featuring the works of Omnaia Jolie Abdou, managing member of Applicant, which include but are not limited to custom art pieces, apparel and luxury wear, paintings, sculptures, pottery, prints, posters, and other custom merchandise and artistic works.”
Omania added that her business “has created significant goodwill and consumer recognition in the ATELIER JOLIE mark through its continued use and expenditure of significant time, effort, and money in advertising and promotion.”
“Opposer’s and Applicant’s ATELIER JOLIE marks are identical in spelling and therefore are also identical in sight, sound, and commercial impression.
“Opposer, Atelier Jolie, LLC, respectfully requests that the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board sustain this Opposition and refuse registration of the mark ATELIER JOLIE for Applicant’s goods and services.”
Angelina’s team has attempted to rebuff Omania’s claims, saying that there would be no confusion between the two businesses.
Now the lawyers for both parties are negotiating a settlement, which could mean Angelina will have to fork over money to use the name.
Angelina’s attorneys argued, “One or more of Opposer’s claims are barred on the grounds that there is no actual competition between Opposer and Jolie and it is virtually impossible for there to be a likelihood for confusion.
“One or more of Opposer’s claims as to its alleged common law marks are barred on the grounds that Opposer has failed to establish an earlier continuous and exclusive use of its alleged mark with respect to goods/services.”
Pennsylvania business records show that Omania’s business was formed on October 27, 2021 – while Jolie’s firm, Atelier Jolie Lifestyle Inc, was set up a few months later on May, 20, 2022 in Delaware.
For the last few months, the two parties have been trying to come to a settlement agreement.
The Easton gallery’s lawyer has asked for more time saying, ‘the parties have been and are currently actively engaged in settlement negotiations.’
Further adding: “The extension is necessary to allow the parties to continue their settlement efforts, and to move towards settlement and resolution of this matter.”
Last November, after a year of being open, Jolie spoke of her aspirations for Atelier Jolie’s future, telling Surface Magazine: “My hope is for Atelier Jolie to be a home for artists, and we want 57 to be a place where people can create, be inspired, and participate in the creative process.
“Doing this alongside artists, designers, and craftsmen who might otherwise be inaccessible is important to how we operate and see the world.”
The fight over the name of her art-collective isn’t the only legal battle Angelina is in, as she continues to face off against her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, over their French estate, Chateau Miraval.
HOW MIRAVAL CAME TO BE
The couple bought the estate in 2011 for an estimated $60 million, with Brad stating the intention was for it to be inherited by their children.
The property, featuring a 35-room manor and a vast vineyard, is now reportedly valued at approximately $500 million.
Brad, 62, has asserted that he was the primary reason for the winery’s success, investing significant time and financial resources into the project from the beginning.
In 2016, the couple separated but both kept their ownership interests in the business until 2021, when Angelina informed Brad she wished to exit the company.
She reportedly alleged that Brad utilized company funds to finance his personal interests.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/15685180/angelina-jolie-legal-battle-atelier-brad-pitt-court/
