Prince (July 17, 1997) No Symbols in Court – Star Tribune, USA.

This Star Tribune article, published on Thursday, July 17, 1997, covers legal and cultural developments surrounding Prince Rogers Nelson during his “Artist Formerly Known as Prince” era.

The piece humorously titled “No Symbols in Court” reports on a Chicago copyright case involving a guitar maker suing Prince over a glyph‑shaped instrument design.

Publication: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) Date: July 17 1997 Country: United States Title: No Symbols in Court

Judge Milton Shadur ruled that the musician would be referred to by his legal name, Prince Rogers Nelson, rather than “The Artist” or “The Symbol,” quipping that his courtroom was “not a Mickey Mouse club.” The article also mentions Prince’s connection to Gianni Versace, noting that he composed music for Versace’s fashion shows, including The Versace Experience.

This column captures the playful tension between Prince’s artistic identity and legal formalities during his late‑1990s period of creative independence. It reflects his ongoing cultural presence beyond music — spanning fashion, symbolism, and intellectual property debates.

Source: Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, July 17 1997. All newspaper scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.