Legal Setback for Artists in Bored Ape Yacht Club Copyright Lawsuit
Artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen have suffered a setback in their legal battle against Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). A recent court filing dismissed their counterclaims in the ongoing copyright lawsuit.
Court Orders Artists to Pay Damages and Destroy Infringing NFTs
The court’s decision mandates Ripps and Cahen to pay nearly $9 million in damages, including legal and expert witness fees, alongside disgorgement. Additionally, they must destroy any unauthorized collection dubbed Ryder Ripps BAYC (RR/BAYC) NFTs in their possession or hand them over to Yuga Labs for destruction. All related infringing materials, including articles, software, promotional items, and advertisements bearing any BAYC trademark, must be obliterated.
Transfer of Social Media Accounts and Smart Contract
Ripps and Cahen are also required to transfer all social media accounts and the smart contract associated with the RR/BAYC NFTs to Yuga Labs. This effectively ends their involvement with the unauthorized collection.
Intent to Appeal at Ninth Circuit Court of California
Cahen, known online as Pauly0x, expressed their intention to appeal the ruling at the Ninth Circuit Court of California. However, their counterclaims, including allegations of intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, as well as a plea for a declaratory judgment of no defamation, were all dismissed in this recent court filing.
Implications for NFT Creation and Distribution
This case highlights the legal challenges and ramifications involved in the creation and distribution of NFTs that infringe upon existing copyrights. It serves as a cautionary tale for artists and developers in the digital art space, emphasizing the importance of respecting intellectual property rights.
Hot Take: Artists Face Legal Consequences in Bored Ape Yacht Club Lawsuit
Artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen have faced a significant setback in their legal battle against Yuga Labs, the creators of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC). The court’s decision not only dismissed their counterclaims but also imposed substantial financial penalties. They are required to pay nearly $9 million in damages and destroy any unauthorized NFTs in their possession. This ruling underscores the importance of respecting intellectual property rights in the creation and distribution of NFTs. It serves as a warning to artists and developers about the legal challenges involved and emphasizes the need to avoid copyright infringement.
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