Will.i.am Sues Pharrell for Using “I Am” in His YouTube Channel Name

Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am is hauling Pharrell into court, claiming Pharrell has no right to use the phrase "I am" in his YouTube channel name.

After Pharrell named his channel "I Am Other," Will sent a cease and desist letter. That caused Pharrell to fire the first courtroom shot, filing papers asking a judge to say Will doesn't have exclusive rights to "I am."

So Will countersued, saying Pharrell is essentially a serial thief. And as proof, and he listed the fact that Pharrell co-founded a record label called Star Trak Entertainment, and made sure to mention Pharrell is currently being sued by Marvin Gaye's family for the similarities between 'Blurred Lines' and Gaye's classic hit 'Got to Give it Up.'

So why is Will so possessive of a generic phrase like "I am"? He says that since he and Pharrell are both pop artists on the same record label, it could cause confusion with the public for Pharrell to use part of the name Will is known for -- even if it's just for a YouTube channel.