• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Black activists trademark 'White Lives Matter' to stop Kanye West from profiting off it

Home> News

Published 16:08 3 Nov 2022 GMT

Black activists trademark 'White Lives Matter' to stop Kanye West from profiting off it

Kanye West recently came under fire after debuting a White Lives Matter t-shirt at Paris Fashion Week

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Two black radio hosts have trademarked ‘White Lives Matter’ in a bid to stop Kanye West from profiting off it.

West recently came under fire after debuting a White Lives Matter t-shirt at Paris Fashion Week, where he was showcasing season nine of his Yeezy clothing line.

The 45-year-old's attire sparked mass outrage online, with Jaden Smith - son of actor Will Smith - even tweeting he had to remove himself from the fashion show after seeing Ye's attire.

In the wake of the backlash, West took to Instagram to say: "Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam. Now it's over. You're welcome."

Now Phoenix-based activists Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward, who host radio show Civic Chapter, have revealed they've trademarked the controversial phrase.

Advert

In an interview with radio station Real 92.3, Ja said: “We are the holder of the federal trademark for White Lives Matter.

“If you want to sell that shirt, you have to come knock on my door, or you have to face Morris, my lawyer.”

West debuted the controversial White Lives Matter t-shirts at Paris Fashion Week.
Twitter/@marclamonthill

Indeed, federal records confirm that Civic Chapter LLC is now the owner of the ‘White Lives Matter’ trademark after it was first registered on 3 October.

Advert

In another interview with news site Capital B, the pair explained how the trademark was originally registered by one of their listeners, but that the fan transferred it to them, adding that the process had recently been finalised.

Ramses Ja and Quinton Ward.
Real 92.3

Ja said: “This person who first procured it didn't really love owning it, because the purpose was not necessarily to get rich off of it; the purpose was to make sure that other people didn't get rich off of that pain.”

The duo said any money made from the use of the trademarked phrase went to benefit black and brown communities.

Advert

A review of federal records confirming Civic Cipher LLC is the owner of the White Lives Matter trademark
A review of federal records confirming Civic Cipher LLC is the owner of the White Lives Matter trademark

“We know that phrases like 'White Lives Matter,' 'All Lives Matter,' and 'Blue Lives Matter' continue to cause harm and to dilute the narrative that was intended to be established by Black Lives Matter," Ja continued.

“Those phrases are all piggybacking off of black people's creativity and efforts, so we're all for helping to use this as a measure to allow black people to retain a little bit of ownership."

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org

Featured Image Credit: @realcandaceo/Twitter/@iamqward/Instagram

Topics: Kanye West, Celebrity, Business

Jess Hardiman
Jess Hardiman

Jess is Entertainment Desk Lead at LADbible Group. She graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

X

@Jess_Hardiman

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Resurfaced footage shows Kanye West trying to stop ex-wife Kim Kardashian from wearing 'sexy' clothing publicly
  • Kanye West told Rich the Kid he would 'retire from professional music'
  • Kanye West shares provocative video of wife Bianca Censori in bed and fans can't stop pointing out how big it is
  • Kanye West sued by former employee over alleged antisemitism and misogyny as talent agency drops him

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Scientific study reveals the one major way you can stop Type 2 diabetes in its tracks

    The study says it's better than preventative medication

    News
  • an hour ago

    Johnny Depp finally addresses Fantastic Beasts 'recast' amid domestic abuse accusations

    The actor has spoken out about the time he was asked to 'resign' from Warner Bros.

    Celebrity
  • an hour ago

    '16 & Pregnant’ star Whitney Purvis arrested for involuntary manslaughter as police release shocking details

    It comes after the tragic death of Whitney Purvis' son last month

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Major new update in Emily Willis court case following bombshell hearing after she was left 'permanently disabled'

    The news comes after the adult star's mother was given just 30 days to revise her complaint

    News