Justin Timberlake may be facing a lawsuit over his latest single "Take Back the Night."
According to Radar Online, representatives from a well-known sexual assault awareness organization baring the same name as the new tune is considering legal action against Timberlake for using their namesake without permission.
"Everyone at Take Back the Night is really shocked because normally we get asked when people want to use the name," foundation executive director Katherine Koestner told Radar Online. "Normally entities as large as Justin Timberlake do very kind and thoughtful things to support our cause."
Take Back the Night is known for its support of women's rights and its work to end domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Koestner insisted that other high-profile parties who have used the name in the past, such as producers from "CSI" and the popular film "The Devil Wears Prada," contacted the organization first and made sizable donations to the cause.
Koestner also pointed out that another point of contention fell with the song's sexually-charged lyrics, which she says do not match with the group's vision and mission.
"The lyrics are definitely very sexual and not at all clearly anti-sexual violence. 'Use me' for example is not a great phrase for anyone affiliated with the organization," she said, referring to the Timberlake lyric "Use me up until there's nothing left."
Koestner said members of Take Back the Night's legal counsel contacted the pop star this week and received a brief apology from his staff.
"They claimed he'd never heard of us before he wrote that song," she said. "I don't know what country he's been in. I suppose it could have slipped off his radar somehow. Somebody working for him definitely messed up."
Following the mix-up, Timberlake released a statement:
"I wanted to take this opportunity to let all know that neither my song nor its lyrics have any association with the organization," he said. "As I've learned more about The Take Back The Night Foundation, I'm moved by its efforts to stop violence against women, create safe communities and encourage respectful relationships for women - Something we all should rally around. It is my hope that this coincidence will bring more awareness to this cause."
Koestner calls the incident "unfortunate" and does say she hopes it will end amicably.
