COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP):

Abercrombie & Fitch Co has sued singer Beyoncé Knowles, saying her plan for a fragrance named after her alter ego Sasha Fierce violates the teen clothing retailer's trademark.

The chain, which has sold a men's fragrance called Fierce since 2002, wants a court to order Knowles to abandon the plan. Abercrombie has held a trademark for the word 'fierce' since 2003, according to the lawsuit it filed Tuesday in US District Court in Columbus.

Knowles, who released an album in 2008 called I am ... Sasha Fierce, will unfairly benefit from the reputation Abercrombie has built for the scent and could confuse or deceive customers into thinking Abercrombie is associated with her fragrance, the New Albany, Ohio-based retailer claimed in its lawsuit.

When Knowles applied in September 2008 to trademark Sasha Fierce for a fragrance and other items, Abercrombie asked her to refrain from using the name for the fragrance, but she disputed there would be any confusion, according to the lawsuit.

The singer announced on Tuesday that she had signed a deal with Coty Inc to market her new fragrance, set to launch next year, the lawsuit says.