Robert Clivillés Sues Freedom Williams Over C+C Music Factory Trademark and Defamation

In August 2026, Robert Clivillés—co-founder of C+C Music Factory—filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of New York against Freedom Williams, the frontman of the group’s touring edition. The complaint alleges defamation, fraud, trademark infringement, unfair competition and breach of contract, seeking cancellation of Williams’s trademark claim and up to $30 million in damages. It cites a seven-minute video Williams posted on May 29, 2026, in which he used racial slurs, invoked Adolf Hitler and delivered vulgar statements while seated on a toilet. Clivillés says the video was the “last straw” in a dispute that dates back more than three decades.

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C+C Music Factory rose to fame in 1990. Williams was credited as a featured artist on early singles but, according to Clivillés, was never a full member. In mid-1991 Williams left the group and signed a solo deal with Sony Music. The estate of David Cole later granted Clivillés exclusive rights to the C+C Music Factory name.

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• 1990-1991 – C+C Music Factory achieves chart success; Williams appears as a featured artist.

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• Mid-1991 – Williams requests release from the production agreement and ends his association with the group.

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• 2005 – Williams registers “C and C Music Factory” as a trademark (later canceled).

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• 2015 – Williams receives a trademark registration for “C&C Music Factory.”

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• June 25, 2018 – A prior cancellation proceeding against Williams’s trademark is dismissed with prejudice.

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• June 12, 2026 – After a public legal warning from Clivillés, Williams released a new single, “Into the Future,” under the C+C Music Factory name.

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• May 29, 2026 – Williams posts the controversial video to the official C+C Music Factory Instagram account.

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• August 2026 – Clivillés files the lawsuit, demanding damages and trademark cancellation.

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• Damages sought: up to $30 million.

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• Alleged earnings from unauthorized shows: $5,000–$10,000 per performance worldwide.

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• Trademark history: 2005 registration canceled in 2012; 2015 registration granted despite alleged false statements.

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• Clivillés stresses that the letters “F” or “W” never appear in the official group name and that he and Cole were the sole members.

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• Williams’s remarks: In the May 29 video, Williams disparaged the “Freedom 250” concert series and threatened to stage shows in extreme locations, ending with an obscene gesture.

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• Ticketing: A single remaining tour date for Williams’s version of C+C Music Factory is still listed.

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• Social media: Williams runs the Instagram account “Officialcncmusicfactory,” while Clivillés operates “cnc.musicfactory.” In June, Clivillés posted a direct demand for Williams to cease using the brand and limit his credit to solo recordings.

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Variety was unable to obtain comment from either party, leaving current positions unverified beyond the lawsuit filings and publicly posted videos. The complaint notes that no tribunal has yet adjudicated the substantive trademark claims, as the 2018 cancellation proceeding was dismissed on procedural grounds.

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The dispute underscores ongoing challenges in the music industry over legacy branding and trademark ownership. A ruling for Clivillés could strip Williams of the ability to market performances under the C+C Music Factory name, affecting tour revenues and fan recognition. Conversely, a decision for Williams would reinforce the validity of his trademark registrations despite earlier contractual disagreements and highlight how social-media conduct can trigger legal battles over intellectual property and reputation.

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