Outkast Files Trademark Lawsuit Against Ovrkast Over Name Dispute

Outkast has sued California rapper and producer Ovrkast, alleging he unlawfully adopted a nearly identical stage name after recognizing that it caused consumer confusion and agreeing to change it.

The 31-page federal complaint, filed in Georgia and obtained by Rolling Stone, accuses Ovrkast of trademark infringement, unfair competition and breach of contract. The lawsuit, brought by High Schoolers, the Atlanta duo’s trademark-holding company, says Outkast has been one of hip-hop’s most recognizable and influential acts since forming in 1993, winning six Grammy Awards and selling more than 25 million records.

The complaint alleges that Ovrkast, an Oakland, California, record producer whose real name is Silas Wilson, knowingly chose the name “to trade upon the tremendous fame and goodwill associated with plaintiff’s Outkast name and mark.” It also claims Wilson’s use of the name has already led to consumer confusion, citing a 2025 Rolling Stone interview as evidence.

In that interview, Wilson said the “worst thing” about his rising profile was being accused of trying to imitate Outkast. “It’s like, ‘No, bro. I wasn’t even thinking about Outkast,’” he said. “They read Ovrkast [as] Outkast. They’re like, oh my God, I thought they said Outkast. And it’s like, it don’t.”

Wilson, who has produced tracks for artists including Drake and Earl Sweatshirt, could not be reached Tuesday. Representatives for Outkast members Big Boi, born Antwan Patton, and André 3000, born André Benjamin, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit says Outkast attempted to resolve the dispute amicably before filing suit. According to the complaint, Outkast’s lawyers contacted Wilson in June 2025 and reached an agreement under which he would change his stage name to Overkxst and stop using Ovrkast on his website, social media accounts, streaming profiles, domain name, newsletters, advertising and marketing materials, clothing and merchandise.

The suit says the deadline for the name change was later extended to July 15, 2026, but alleges that Wilson “renege[d]” on the agreement and proposed alternate names that had already been rejected by Outkast. The group says the settlement agreement is valid, binding and has been breached.

“Defendant continues to use the Ovrkast mark with knowledge of plaintiff’s rights in the famous Outkast mark, with knowledge that consumers associate Ovrkast with Outkast, and with knowledge that doing so is in breach of the settlement agreement,” the lawsuit, first reported by AllHipHop.com, says.

Outkast is asking the court to permanently bar Wilson from using the Ovrkast name. The complaint also seeks compensatory and punitive damages over what it describes as “willful” conduct, along with attorneys’ fees and the destruction of merchandise bearing the disputed name.

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