FKA Twigs Told to 'Embrace New Name' By The Twigs Back in 2013, Alleged Emails Show – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pexels)
The long-simmering dispute between FKA Twigs and the indie duo known as The Twigs has taken a new turn. In recent weeks the twin sisters behind the band, Laura and Linda Good, responded to the artist’s March lawsuit with claims of their own, including trademark infringement allegations that reach back more than a decade. At the center of the exchange are emails from 2013 in which the band reportedly advised Tahliah Barnett, who performs as FKA Twigs, to adopt a different stage name to avoid confusion. The conflict highlights how early career decisions can resurface years later when commercial success and trademark rights collide. Both sides now point to the same 2013 correspondence to support their positions in federal court.
Roots of the Name Clash
Barnett began using variations of “Twigs” around 2012, shortly after releasing early material under the name. The Good sisters, who had performed and released music as The Twigs since the 1990s, contacted her after noticing the similarity. In June 2013 Barnett reached out first, acknowledging their longer history and asking whether they were comfortable with her continued use of the name. The band replied that it held a U.S. trademark for “The Twigs” in music and entertainment. According to court filings, the sisters stated they could not consent to Barnett using “Twigs” or any derivation of it. They encouraged her to choose something else entirely rather than risk future legal complications.
Settlement Offer and Firm Rejection
Barnett proposed a practical compromise. She offered the band $15,000 in exchange for an agreement that would let both acts continue under their respective names without further interference. The sisters declined the payment and reiterated that they did not consent to any form of coexistence. That exchange set the tone for the relationship between the two projects. For more than a decade the matter remained largely dormant, even as FKA Twigs built a substantial international following and released critically acclaimed albums.
Renewed Pressure in 2024
The issue resurfaced after FKA Twigs announced her Body High Tour. In May 2024 the Good sisters sent cease-and-desist letters asserting their trademark rights and threatening litigation, including possible injunctions that could prevent Barnett from performing under her established stage name. The letters reportedly demanded a seven-figure settlement to resolve the claims. Barnett viewed the timing and demands as an attempt to leverage old trademark assertions for financial gain. She filed suit in March 2026 in the Southern District of New York, seeking a declaration that her use of “FKA Twigs” does not infringe on the band’s rights.
Recent Countersuit and What Comes Next
The Twigs responded with their own legal action, accusing Barnett of trademark infringement and seeking damages, including punitive damages under New York law. The band maintains that its 2013 communications clearly established its position and that Barnett proceeded despite the warning. Court documents show both parties continue to reference the same 2013 emails, though they interpret the exchange differently. The case is now moving through the discovery phase, with each side preparing to argue the strength of its trademark claims and the significance of the decade-old correspondence. The outcome could influence how emerging artists navigate similar name overlaps in an industry where trademarks increasingly determine long-term branding rights.
