A lawsuit alleges that Tyler Perry’s new Netflix series “She The People” infringes on the brand identity and goodwill of a nonprofit organization and political space of the same name. Aimee Allison, president and founder of the nonprofit She the People, filed suit shortly before the release.
Allison filed against Netflix, Perry, his company, Tyler Vision, LLC, and actress Terri Vaughn. According to her complaint, Allison previously contracted with Vaughn to develop a docuseries based on the “She the People” concept. She further alleged that Vaughn and Perry’s Netflix series pulls in many of the themes and frames from her work.
“The Series echoes many of the same themes regarding Black women’s experiences in politics that Ms. Allison addresses through her activism under the SHE THE PEOPLE mark, albeit in a slightly different format,” reads the complaint. “With a lighthearted and comedic touch, the Series trailer (the “Trailer”) shows the newly-elected lieutenant governor confronting a number of issues likely to resonate with women of color[.]”
While the scenarios themselves are not unique, coupled with the She the People brand, it could suggest the unfair usage of Allison’s intellectual property. A quick trademark search shows that Perry applied for the She the People trademark through legal representation. The application was initially denied in part due to the likelihood of confusion with Allison’s existing trademark.
Allison has not provided any public comment on the show, but she posted a video last week talking about the importance of defending your brand and creative ideas.
A seasoned political strategist, Allison was also a significant supporter of former Vice President Kamala Harris during both her 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns. Ahead of the 2024 election cycle, Allison launched a podcast under the She the People brand in partnership with Design Observer.
In her personal capacity, Allison supported several fierce state and federal candidates for office, including Stacey Abrams. Through She the People and related work, Allison has established a network of relationships and engagements designed to uplift Black and other women of color. Much of her work has involved breaking through stereotypes of who is considered electable and challenging barriers to entry to Black and other women of color into politics.
Founded in 2018, She the People has existed as a space of convening and conversation for Black and other women of color. Allison organized two convenings for Black and other women of color political leaders in 2018 and 2019. The 2019 event centered on a presidential forum that elevated the leadership and voices of Black and other women of color leaders and organizers, as well as several major presidential candidates.
Several media outlets covered the event and notable moments from several 2020 candidates, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Vice President Kamala Harris. I attended both convenings first as a staffer with former Democracy for America in 2018 and then as a freelance journalist in 2019.
Across every moment, curated under the She the People brand, has been focused on shifting the cultural perception of who can be a leader. Allison has been in conversation with Congressional leaders like Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and newly elected Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she was glad to sign on as an executive producer despite people in her inner circle warning her to stay away from the project. Despite her involvement in similar social circles, it’s unclear whether Bottoms knew about the “She the People” connection to Allison’s work.
“The world is full of people who wish they had good ideas,” Allison said in an Instagram Reel. “And too many who’ll try to take yours when they see it catching fire. So, put your paperwork in place. And prepare to protect the soul of what you’ve built.”
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