Ye-Adidas Divorce Muddles Ownership of Yeezy Brand, Designs

Adidas AG’s decision to sever ties with the musician Ye has created a morass over how intellectual property rights developed in their multibillion dollar collaboration are split and whether there’s a path forward that avoids a court fight.

Ye’s company, Mascotte Holdings Inc., appears to operate a portfolio of more than 160 trademark applications and registrations for his Yeezy brand, but Adidas owns the rights to the designs of most Yeezy shoes, including the well known Yeezy Boost 350.

How exactly the divide in IP rights will affect the breakup isn’t clear, and the answer will turn on the details ...