Yuga Labs Settles Lawsuit With Artists Over Lookalike NFTs

Yuga Labs, creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), has reached a settlement with artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen, who were accused of producing and selling NFTs that closely resembled BAYC’s iconic cartoon ape collection. Court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California confirm that the parties have agreed to resolve the dispute.

As part of the settlement, Ripps and Cahen are permanently prohibited from using Yuga Labs’ imagery and trademarks. They are required to transfer control of smart contracts, domains, and any remaining NFTs linked to their RR/BAYC project to Yuga Labs within 10 days. The court also barred the artists from selling, concealing, or otherwise disposing of any assets related to the case to avoid compliance.

Background of the Legal Dispute

Yuga Labs initially filed the lawsuit in June 2022, alleging that the RR/BAYC NFTs, minted in May 2022, copied its copyrighted ape designs and caused user confusion, generating millions in profits for Ripps and Cahen. The artists defended their work as satire and parody, citing free speech protections.

A 2023 court ruling favored Yuga Labs, ordering the artists to pay $1.37 million plus $200,000 in additional damages, which later grew to $9 million after a counterclaim in 2024. The appeals process in 2025 overturned part of the ruling and mandated a jury trial to evaluate the trademark infringement claims.

With the settlement now finalized, Yuga Labs regains control over the disputed assets, bringing an end to a nearly four-year legal saga in the NFT space.

Disclaimer

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