FKA Twigs Files Lawsuit Against The Twigs Over Trademark Dispute

FKA Twigs, the stage name of British artist Tahliah Barnett, has initiated a lawsuit against the indie band The Twigs, fronted by twin sisters Laura and Linda Good. The lawsuit, filed on March 20, 2026, follows a series of cease-and-desist letters sent by the band, which Barnett claims are attempts to “weaponize” trademark law for financial gain. The dispute centers around the rights to the FKA Twigs trademark, which Barnett has used for over a decade.

PitchforkFKA Twigs sues indie band The Twigs over 'weaponised' trademark claimsBillboardFKA Twigs Sues Indie Band The Twigs Over Trademark DisputeRolling Stone

The conflict dates back to 2013 when Barnett, then performing as The Twigs, began using the name FKA Twigs after the Good sisters raised concerns about potential confusion between their names. Barnett reportedly offered the sisters $15,000 to allow both acts to coexist without purchasing the name, but they declined. In 2014, the Good sisters filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Barnett, which was later dropped when a judge denied their request for a restraining order.

Pitchfork

In May 2024, the Good sisters resumed their claims, sending multiple cease-and-desist letters to Barnett, threatening litigation unless they received a significant seven-figure payout. Barnett's legal team argues that the sisters have known about her use of the FKA Twigs name since 2013 and that their recent actions are an attempt to disrupt her established career. They assert that the two acts operate in “entirely different commercial ecosystems,” highlighting the disparity in their audience sizes—FKA Twigs boasts 3.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify compared to The Twigs' 25.

FKA Twigs sues indie band The Twigs over 'weaponised' trademark claims

Barnett's lawsuit seeks a jury trial to confirm her rights to the FKA Twigs trademark. Her legal team contends that there is no credible evidence of consumer confusion between the two acts, emphasizing that the Good sisters have not actively pursued their claims for nearly a decade. They argue that the trademark infringement claims lack merit, as the two acts cater to different audiences and musical styles.

Pitchfork

The Good sisters have not publicly commented on the lawsuit. However, Barnett's legal representatives have criticized their actions as improper, stating, “Defendants’ attempts to weaponize these barred and unmeritorious trademark claims… are improper and must cease.” This sentiment underscores the contentious nature of the dispute, with Barnett's team framing the sisters' actions as opportunistic.

Pitchfork

The lawsuit is set to proceed to a jury trial, where the court will determine the rights to the FKA Twigs trademark. As the legal battle unfolds, Barnett continues to focus on her music career, currently on her Body High Tour, while seeking to solidify her brand identity in the face of ongoing challenges.

Why FKA Twigs Is Heading To Court To Save Her Name (Again)

• “Defendants’ attempts to weaponize these barred and unmeritorious trademark claims …” — FKA Twigs' Legal Team

Billboard

• “In the more than a decade that Barnett and Defendants have co-existed, there is not a shred of credible evidence of actual confusion between their respective offerings,” — FKA Twigs' Legal Team

Billboard

This lawsuit highlights the complexities of trademark law in the music industry and raises questions about the balance between protecting artistic identity and the potential for exploitation of legal frameworks.

Billboard