Jay-Z Files Trademark for Jaybo Character From “The Story of O.J.” Video
It looks like JAY-Z plans on making money moves using the animated character, Jaybo, from his "The Story of O.J." video.
The rap mogul's company, S. Carter Enterprises, recently filed trademark documents to use the image in commerce on "T-shirts, sweaters, hats, blankets, shams, dinnerware, mugs, cocktail shakers and thermal containers," reports TMZ.
"The Story of O.J." was the first video released from Jigga's latest album, 4:44. Directed by Mark Romanek and Jay himself, the animated video stars a character named Jaybo who eats watermelon and picks cotton before meeting a sudden end. The Jaybo character is a play on the racist term, Sambo, so we are interested to see exactly how Hov plans on playing this.
The track itself received mixed reviews, with MC Shan disagreeing with some of Jay's logic on the song, and others accusing the rapper of using anti-Semitic lyrics. And, or course, the money phone line had the youngsters in an uproar.
In other trademark-related news, Travis Scott recently ran into a hurdle trying to trademark his alias, Cactus Jack. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has reportedly tried to block the move because the moniker was used by the wrestler, Mick Foley, back in the 1980s. However, the trademark hasn't been active since 2010. Foley retired from the company in 2012. This will have to be settled by the United States Patent and Trademark office or a judge. We say they wrestle for it.
See Photos of JAY-Z's Different Looks Over the Years