Last week, Highsnobiety reported that Kanye West’s YEEZY line had been filed with a lawsuit for copyright infringement with regards to camouflage prints used on its clothing. Now, it seems West and his brand have more legal trouble ahead.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Kanye West did not file the required trademark paperwork for his "YEEZY" brand name. While holding the rights for YEEZY-branded footwear, the company apparently abandoned the trademark for clothing in 2017. However, a quick search on the U.S. government's trademark website does show filing by NY-based Pryor Cashman for "YEEZY" on August 20, 2017.
The same report claims that a China-based company called Fujian Baby Network Technology Co. has managed to secure the "YEEZY Boost" trademark for its clothing products. That does appear to be true according to the same trademark website.
According to TMZ, when West's YEEZY label reportedly attempted to refile an application for apparel, they were informed that the name was no longer available.
Whether allowing the trademark to run out in 2017 was planned or not, this news falls in line with speculation that YEEZY Season 7 will only include footwear.
Earlier this month a rumor circulated that Kanye had invited buyers to an empty showroom because he “could not achieve what he wanted to with the season.”
Kim Kardashian West, however, was quick to dismiss these rumors as “fake” and has previously been seen wearing, what is presumed to be, Season 7 clothing.
What do you think, will Kanye West get the trademark back? Is this all smoke and mirrors? Let us know in the comments.
In other news, Drake might be working with Kanye in Wyoming. Read more on that here.