Ye “White Lives Matter” Slogan Purchase Possible?- FM HIP HOP

Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward’s interview has raised some interesting questions. However, there is one that has gained massive intrigue. Could Ye purchase the rights to the “White Lives Matter” trademark?

An Interesting Interception

Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward. Image source: CNN.

As FMHipHop reported yesterday, two radio disc Jockeys who are also activists now own the rights to the “White Lives Matter” trademark, making it impossible for Ye to sell his eponymous merch. And it was their rights to ownership that allowed the two to intercept apparel sales with the slogan embossed. Thus, Kanye West could not peddle merchandise without Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward’s permission.

Trademark Stipulations

In a recent interview, the dynamic duo sat down to discuss the terms of ownership and their motives. According to the pair, they received explicit instructions on what to do if they transferred the trademark. One of those stipulations included giving proceeds from the sale to specific organizations. This would mean for prospective buyers who can afford the price tag; ownership might be up for grabs.

Could Kanye Purchase The Slogan?

If West could meet the terms, he could purchase the slogan. However, it is unlikely that this would happen, and here is why.

Primarily, the duo would have to agree to sell to Kanye. And that would mean reaching a mutual agreement regarding the slogan’s use. In their prior interview, the two explained the premise behind their rights to ownership. They saw themselves as gatekeepers of sorts. As Ja so plainly put it,

“I think that maneuver was primarily to ensure that other people would not profit from it.”

So what would that mean for Kanye?

A Second Rationale For The Improbability Of The Purchase

Kanye has at various times expressed his need to be free to use what he owns in the manner he sees fit. Most know that Ye recently received his emancipation papers from a partnership with Adidas.

Kanye West has settled his feud with Adidas, says Gap is next‼️🙏 pic.twitter.com/YnAofNslUj

— RapTV (@Rap) September 6, 2022

This dissolution came about due to disagreements on creative control and corporate use. Ye disagreed with Adidas’ use of his prototype. So he desired to be liberated from the partnership. Ye wanted to be free to exert his creative control. One need only look at a statement that was made by the artist a few months ago,

“I feel like there’s a lot of controlling and handling to suppress my ability to affect the American economy and industry,”

In the same September issue of Bloomberg, the artist was also quoted as saying, “it’s time for me to go it alone. No more companies standing between me and the audience.”

So even if Ye were to fork up the money, he would again be held to terms set by the seller. This means he would be bound to another intermediary, which would pivot from his current trajectory. And given the original rationale behind the interception of sales, it’s likely that both parties will have differing views on use.

Kanye And The Economics Of The Deal

Based on TMZ’s coverage currently, the projected price tag is $1 billion. This means that the hosts would consider selling the trademark at that value. However, consideration is not definite; it rather defines the beginning terms for negotiation. And so, given the proposed price tag, one must wonder whether the purchase would even be worth it for Ye.

Ye’s Current Path

Most know that after several corporations severed ties with the artist, his net worth fell below a billion. According to Fortune, the dissolution of his business relationship with Adidas led to a $1.5 billion loss. So where does that leave Ye? Well, Forbes estimated Ye’s current net worth after breaking ties with Addidas. As Forbes notes,

Without Adidas, Ye is worth $400 million. The remainder of Ye’s fortune, Forbes estimates, comes from real estate, cash, his music catalog and a 5% stake in ex-wife Kim Kardashian’s shapewear firm, Skims.

Ye’s current net worth does not mean he can’t afford the purchase. He has more than enough collateral. He could probably secure or raise funds if he desired to do so. However, it would be a more considerable investment, for sure. That means that it would have a more significant impact on his bottom line. And if he could not market the product in the way he saw fit, one must consider, given the current circumstances, whether such an investment would be worth it.

If in some twist of fate, Kanye decides the investment is worth it, agrees to the term, and forks up the money, then it is possible, especially given the retention requirement.

The Other Factor to Consider

The other factor that might shift the balance in Ye’s favor is the actual requirements for retention of ownership. According to TMZ, the duo must use the slogan to keep the license. So if they do not use the slogan, they could lose the trademark. But that doesn’t seem like too big of a problem. In the interview, the two were clear that they were considering how they could use the slogan.

Summation

Yes, fundamentally, Ye could purchase the “White Lives Matter” slogan. However, most factors indicate that such a transaction is doubtful. So, for now, we have to watch and see. But, of course, there is always ego to consider, which can’t be adequately estimated, especially when it’s Ye’s ego under consideration.

Written By: Renae Richardson

Edited By: Nikita Serdiuk

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