Kanye West Files Trademarks Describing NFT Technology After Denouncing the Digital Collectible Concept

According to trademark filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the American rapper Ye (commonly known as Kanye West) is getting into the world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse. The record producer’s company Mascotte Holdings Inc. filed 17 trademarks, and parts of the trademark summaries describe digital collectibles like NFTs.

Kanye West: ‘Do Not Ask Me to Do a F***ing NFT … Ask Me Later’

On Wednesday, trademark attorney and founder of Gerben Intellectual Property, Josh Gerben, tweeted about rapper and musician Ye and his company Mascotte Holdings filing new trademarks. Gerben said: “Kanye West has filed 17 new trademark applications around his YEEZUS name. The filings indicate an intent to launch YEEZUS-branded amusement parks, NFTs, toys, and more.”

Interestingly, West criticized the non-fungible token (NFT) industry in February and is quoted as saying he’s only focused on creating real-world products. “My focus is on building real products in the real world. Real food. Real clothes. Real shelter,” West said at the time on Instagram. “Do not ask me to do a f***ing NFT.” However, the Instagram post that shares West’s thoughts on NFTs also said “Ask me later.”

West is no stranger to the world of cryptocurrencies and he once said bitcoin advocates “really have a perspective on what the true liberation of America and humanity will be.” At that time in 2020, West was also running as a candidate for the president of the United States during the election. The trademark filing applications with the USPTO were filed on May 27, 2022, according to the trademark summary.

West’s Mascotte Holdings joins a slew of well-known brands filing NFT and metaverse-related trademarks. Companies like New Balance, Crocs, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Ralph Lauren, and Abercrombie & Fitch have also filed USPTO trademarks tied to digital collectibles and blockchain technology. Moreover, a plethora of other companies such as Samsung, Gap, Adidas, Nike, Hennessy, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi-Cola have already released NFT and metaverse products.