In the ever-evolving business landscape of Ye (formerly Kanye West), his intellectual property maneuvers often serve as a roadmap for his future ambitions. At the center of this strategy is Ox Paha Inc., a low-profile California-based entity that has quietly become the primary vehicle for his U.S. trademark filings.
What is Ox Paha Inc.?
Ox Paha Inc. is a corporation registered in Los Angeles, California. While the name does not immediately scream “Kanye West,” its registered address – 8025 Melrose Avenue – is well-known as the headquarters for his Yeezy operations.
Since 2023, Ye has shifted many of his filings away from his better-known holding companies (like Mascotte Holdings or Yeezy LLC) toward Ox Paha. This shift coincided with a period of massive corporate restructuring following the termination of his partnerships with Adidas and Gap.
The “YEWS” Controversy
The most significant activity under Ox Paha occurred in October 2023, when the company filed 26 separate trademark applications for the term “YEWS.”
These filings were exhaustive, covering nearly every sector of the modern economy:
- Entertainment: Streaming services, music, and television.
- Retail: Clothing, footwear, headwear, and jewelry.
- Lifestyle: Restaurants, cosmetics, and beauty care.
- Finance: Banking services and real estate.
Given the breadth of these filings I am curious as to how Ox Paha would have been able to prove at the time of the filing of the Application its “bona fide intent” to use these marks on the applied for goods or services if they were ever challenged to do so.
Further, the term “YEWS” sparked immediate controversy, with critics and cultural commentators suggesting it was a phonetic play on “Jews,” following the artist’s history of antisemitic remarks. However, the legal filings remained strictly focused on commercial intent, though Ye never publicly clarified the brand’s purpose.
Current Status of Key Trademarks (2025–2026)
While the volume of these trademarks filings was massive, recent reports from early 2026 indicate Ox Paha systemically failed to successfully obtain any actual registrations. To register a trademark, an applicant must prove “use in interstate commerce” – essentially showing that the brand actually exists and is selling products across State lines.
| Mark | Filing Date | Current Status (Jan 2026) | Description |
| KANYE WEST | 2004 | Registered & Live | Long-standing mark for music and apparel. |
| YE | 2021/2023 | Pending (Extensions) | Multiple filings for tech and retail; currently seeking extensions. |
| YEWS | Oct 2023 | Abandoned | Most “YEWS” filings were dismissed due to “failure to respond” or “no statement of use.” |
| WIFE BY HUSBAND | Feb 2025 | Pending | Filed for printed books and biographies (likely regarding Bianca Censori). |
|
DROAM
|
Nov 2023 | Pending | Aimed at modular/pre-fabricated buildings and transportable metal structures. |
Why are so many marks “Abandoned”?
By January 2026, hundreds of Ox Paha’s applications—including those for Villadome, Yeezus, and Donda—have been declared “dead” or abandoned by the USPTO.
- Lack of Evidence: The company failed to provide dates of first use along with specimens of use which showed the goods/services bearing the trademark and moving through interstate commerce to the government.
- Legal Inactivity: Many of the filings reached either their Extension Request or Statement of Use deadlines without the appropriate filings being prepared and filed.
- Legal Representation: Reports indicate that legal counsel for several Ox Paha marks withdrew in mid-2024, leaving many applications to expire due to missed deadlines.
The Takeaway
The Ox Paha filings represent Ye’s desire to build an “everything brand” independent of corporate gatekeepers. However, as of 2026, the strategy appears to be one of quantity over execution. While he has successfully protected his primary name and the “YE” moniker, the vast majority of his experimental brands remain stuck in legal limbo or have been abandoned entirely.
Note: Trademark law requires that a mark be used in trade within a specific timeframe (usually 36 months from the date of the issuance of the Notice of Allowance. Without a product launch, these names remain just ideas on paper.