Jay sold Roc A Fella which was HIS company at the time, which means Kanye, as the artist signed, NEVER owned his Masters to begin with. When Jay sold the label to Def Jam then transference of the Masters went to Def Jam.
I think alot of people get Masters confused with Publishing. A new artist signed to a Major will
N E V E R own their Masters. What your supposed to own is your PUBLISHING (which Kanye sold off as well)
Jay-Z is not the problem in this situation. The problem is Def Jam refusing to set a price or make The Masters available for sale, which while fukked up isn’t illegal.
Seriously you think ANYONE over at G.O.O.D Music owns their Masters? All those John Legend, Big Sean, Pusha T albums? If Kanye were to sell Good Music tomorrow to Def Jam in exchange for HIS Masters then that would simply be business.