Kanye West Files NFT Trademark Applications Months after Indicating Disinterest in Burgeoning Space

Famous American rapper Kanye West has filed 17 new trademark applications for his Yeezus brand, suggesting a possible move into the NFT industry. Kanye West is a Grammy star who has won the award 24 times. His debut into the NFT space further signifies the broad adoption of NFT. More than imagined, digital collectibles have gained the world’s attention, and many celebrities have indicated interests in the new trend.

Reports of Kanye West eyeing the NFT market came after the rapper initially showed his disinterest in NFT projects. On the 1st of February, West uploaded a handwritten letter on his Instagram page. He stated that no one should ask him to be involved in NFT. Rather, he said his focus is on building real products in the real world, such as food, clothes, and shelter. However, the rapper has since deleted the post. With the recent applications, it appears that West’s focus is about to include NFT.

Kanye West Eyes NFT Space

Kanye West, who has legally changed his name to “Ye,” filed trademark applications for “blockchain-based non-fungible assets.” Additionally, the rapper’s trademark applications include “online retail store services featuring downloadable movies, videos, television, music, entertainment, digital art,” and “currencies and tokens.” Notably, Ye filed the trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on the 27th of May. According to the filings, West may also unveil Yeezus-branded amusement parks.

Ye’s initial post of disinterest in NFT came shortly after an interview with Paris Hilton and Jimmy Fallon earlier this year. In the interview, Hilton and Fallon discussed their Bored Ape NFTS and many celebrity NFT endorsements. Although Kanye West said “no” to NFT, he also suggested that fans could ask him later. He also wrote in the caption that he was not into NFT “for now.” This indicates that his phase of no interest in digital collectibles could be over.

Trademark filing is a common way for the wealthy to make unshaken debuts in the NFT industry. Youtube star and professional boxer Logan Paul pioneered the trend of celebrities integrating their brands into Web3. Paul filed many NFT and metaverse trademarks. In March, USPTO licensed trademark attorney Mike Kondoudi revealed that Notorious B.I.G., LLC, filed three trademarks for THE BROOK. The attorney said the plan is to offer NFTs and digital collectibles, an NFT exchange, and virtual clothing, footwear, and sports equipment.  English former football player, David Beckham, also filed three trademark applications in late April.