Yuga Labs, the company behind the world famous NFT collection Bored Ape Yacht Club (BYAC), has been accused of plagiarism. The company would have made its logo illegally. The logo, a wolf skull, was originally from a drawing website.
Crypto logo stolen?
The case was brought to light by an NFT artist on Twitter. He found out that the Bored Ape Kennel Club logo, which saw the light in June 2021, is almost identical to an image from a drawing website. That picture was already put on the internet in April 2021.
The website, “Easy Drawing Guides” responds to the commotion. According to the website, Yuga Labs would not have permission to use the drawing of the wolf skull.
“The intellectual property right of the drawing belongs to Easy Drawing Guides because it is our original drawing and therefore protected by our conditions.”
According to the website. However, it goes one step further. Yuga Labs has a trademark on the logo. Yuga Labs itself has not yet commented on the accusation at the time of writing.
The irony about NFT
The whole situation is ironic to say the least. NFTs are intended to prevent the illegal use of intellectual property. This is exactly what Yuga Labs is currently accused of. At the time of writing, the value of Yuga Labs’ world-famous BAYC collection has not diminished.
This is not the first setback for Yuga Labs. Last October, rumors circulated that the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) was after the company. Namely, the company’s NFTs would be unregistered securities. The NFTs are being sold and the buyers expect a return on them, a situation that is not comfortable with the SEC. The allegations have not yet led to an official charge.
Bro @BoredApeYC @yugalabs what a fucking joke bahahahahaha you got some explaining to do. 4/5/21 and your kennels came out 6/21 and you went and trademarked this skull. Are you guys ok or have you bumped your heads? https://t.co/HiLFdbnFL5 pic.twitter.com/FJigzJgBr8
— COLOMBO (@Jdotcolombo) February 17, 2023