“I wanted to take this opportunity to let all know that neither my song nor its lyrics have any association with the organization.”

After the release of Justin Timberlake’s new single “Take Back The Night” off of his forthcoming second album The 20/20 Experience, he immediately received backlash from sexual assault awareness foundation for using their trademarked name.

Lawyers of the foundation immediately issued out a letter to Timberlake for using their trademarked name without permission. They were especially bothered by the sexual explicit theme of the song, in which Timberlake sings the lyrics:

I wanna do something right

But we can do something better

Ain’t no time like tonight

And we ain’t trying to save it till later

Stay out here living the life

Nobody cares who we are tomorrow

You got that lil’ something I like

A little something I’ve been wanting to borrow…

In the defense of the title of his new single, Timberlake replied by saying that he was unaware the sexual assault foundation’s existence prior to the single’s release. He also stated that, “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.”…And indeed it has!

The first ‘Take Back The Night’ event in the United States, documents back to 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After the unfortunate brutal murder of young microbiologist, Susan Alexander Speeth, citizens rallied together in efforts to raise awareness and stop sexual violence all over the world.

Fortunately, TBTN has chosen not to pursue any legal actions against Timberlake. Instead the foundation has opted to focus their attention on their mission of creating safer communities and respectful relationships by working to spread the word through awareness events.

Would you consider this shocking coincidence to be a bitter/sweet situation?

Catch Justin Timberlake’s official audio for “Take Back The Night” Below…

Written by Bre: Iam_Bree_