André 3000 fans have been treated to new merchandise. The famed OutKast member recently dropped a capsule of items that include a hand-drawn sketch of an ant reading a book. Taking to his rarely used Instagram account, André explained that he trademarked the original image a while ago but was going to lose the rights to it if he didn’t use it, hence the new merchandise drop.
“This is a sketch I did a while ago and I am told I have to use it now in the marketplace or it stops being mine,” he wrote on Tuesday (Feb. 23). “So I’ve made a few things with it. All the shirts are ethically-produced/made from recycled materials. Hope you enjoy. – 3.”
On his website, 3 Stacks explained the situation further in a hand-written note.
“Sooo… I have this trademark thing that I need to solve for. According to the trademark people, in order to retain control of your trademarks, you have to actively use them,” he wrote. “The trademark office also [has] deadlines and lots of rules to defend your IP (intellectual property). So, here are a few things that I hope you enjoy and the good people at the trademark office will enjoy.”
The capsule includes both long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts, a hoodie and a 4×6 print of his drawing. The items are available to purchase on his website and ship within six to eight weeks, the site says. They range in price from the $25 poster to the $150 hoodie.
Last month, André went viral on Twitter after fans rediscovered his 2011 verse on Beyoncé’s “Party.” 3 Stacks’ bars on the classic track led to a Twitter storm of appreciation.
“I’m glad we are giving Andre 3000 his flowers today because he definitely deserves them,” one fan wrote.
Cop André’s new capsule items on his website here and see a picture of his drawing below.