Angelina Jolie Dragged Into New Legal Hell Over "Stolen" Brand
Angelina Jolie cannot seem to stay out of the courtroom, and this time, the drama is hitting her right in her new business venture. While the Maleficent star is still knee-deep in the muddy trenches of her $500 million divorce war with Brad Pitt, she has been blindsided by a fresh legal disaster in New York City. The U.S. Sun reports that Jolie is being accused of ripping off the name of her trendy Manhattan art collective, Atelier Jolie, from a small business owner who claims she was there first.
The actress launched her high-concept studio in November 2023, turning a graffiti-covered building in the East Village into a bohemian paradise for refugees and artists. It was supposed to be her big rebrand away from Hollywood chaos. But there is a massive problem: A woman named Omnaia Jolie Abdou says she has been running a business called "Atelier Jolie" since 2021, and she has the receipts to prove it. This isn't just a mix-up; it is a full-blown trademark war, and it looks like Angelina might have been caught napping on her due diligence.
The optics here are terrible. You have one of the richest women in Hollywood allegedly steamrolling a smaller artist to claim a name that was already in use. Omnaia isn't backing down, demanding that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office throw out Angelina's application immediately. If the court sides with the underdog, Jolie's entire branding strategy could go up in smoke.
The Evidence: Who Used The Name First?
This is where things get sticky for Team Jolie. According to explosive legal documents, Omnaia Jolie Abdou has been operating her version of "Atelier Jolie" out of Easton, Pennsylvania, for years. Her business concept? A trendy gallery for up-and-coming artists with an attached cafe. Sound familiar? It is virtually identical to the concept Angelina pitched for her NYC location.
The timeline paints a damning picture. Pennsylvania business records show Omnaia formed her company on October 27, 2021. Angelina didn't set up her firm, Atelier Jolie Lifestyle Inc, until May 20, 2022. That is a solid seven-month gap where Omnaia was already building her brand before Angelina even filed the paperwork. Omnaia's lawyers are going for the jugular, claiming the two businesses are "identical in sight, sound, and commercial impression."
She literally just took the name and the whole vibe? That is wild. You would think with all her money she could hire someone to Google the name first. This is embarrassing.
Omnaia claims her business has created "significant goodwill" and consumer recognition. Basically, she is saying Angelina's massive fame is drowning out her hard work and confusing customers. Angelina's legal team tried to brush it off, arguing there is "no actual competition" between a global superstar's NYC hub and a PA gallery, but the trademark office might not care about celebrity status when it comes to who filed first.
Secret Settlement Talks Exposed
It looks like Angelina knows she might be in trouble. Instead of fighting this out in a public trial that would drag her name through the mud, sources confirm that lawyers for both sides are huddled behind closed doors trying to cut a deal. The Easton gallery's lawyer has asked for more time, stating they are "actively engaged in settlement negotiations."
Translation: Money is likely changing hands. Angelina may have to open her checkbook and pay a massive sum to keep the name "Atelier Jolie." It is a humiliating potential payout for a star who prides herself on being a champion for artists. If she has to pay off a smaller artist just to keep her sign on the door, it puts a serious dent in the "ethical" image of her brand.
Meanwhile, The War With Brad Pitt Rages On
As if one lawsuit wasn't enough, let's not forget the main event. Angelina is still locked in a death match with ex-husband Brad Pitt over their French estate, Chateau Miraval. This is the $500 million vineyard dispute that refuses to die. Brad claims he built the business into a global wine powerhouse, while Angelina sold her share to a Russian oligarch's subsidiary just to spite him.
The accusations in that case are nuclear. Angelina has alleged Brad tried to silence her about "years of abuse" with an NDA, while Brad claims she sold the winery illegally without his consent. It is a messy, expensive, and vicious battle that has drained both of them for years. Adding a trademark dispute over her NYC studio to the pile is the last thing Angelina needs right now.
Brad is suing for at least $67 million regarding the winery sale, and Angelina's company countersued for $250 million. With hundreds of millions on the line in France, having to fight over a cafe name in Pennsylvania feels like a cruel joke. But in the world of celebrity litigation, it never rains—it pours.
Will Angelina Be Forced To Rebrand?
The clock is ticking. If the settlement talks fall through, this could go to a trial that Angelina absolutely does not want. Losing the rights to the name "Atelier Jolie" would be a marketing disaster. She has already done the interviews, printed the merch, and put the sign on the building. A rebrand now would be a public admission of defeat.
Fans are watching closely to see if the "Atelier Jolie" name quietly stays put—implying a quiet payoff was made—or if the signs suddenly come down in the East Village. For a woman who meticulously curates her public image, being accused of bullying a small business owner is a look that doesn't fit the brand. Stay tuned, because this legal drama is far from over.
