Ryder Ripps Barred From Using Bored Ape Imagery in Yuga Labs Dispute Settlement

• Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen settle with Yuga Labs, permanently barred from using Bored Ape imagery.
• The dispute centred on whether their RR/BAYC NFTs constituted satire or violated trademark protections.
• A 2023 court initially awarded US$1.5m, later rising to nearly US$9m before appeals overturned it.

A legal dispute between Yuga Labs and artist Ryder Ripps has been brought to a close, with a settlement prohibiting the use of Bored Ape Yacht Club imagery and trademarks by Ripps and Jeremy Cahen. The agreement, confirmed through a recent court filing, concludes a case that has been ongoing since 2022, although the precise terms have not been made public.

Yuga Labs initially pursued legal action after alleging that the RR/BAYC NFT collection copied its signature ape characters and branding, resulting in trademark violations. The company argued that the project blurred distinctions between authentic and imitation assets, enabling the defendants to earn substantial sums.

Ripps countered that his work functioned as satire and fell within the bounds of artistic expression, rather than constituting a commercial infringement. He also levelled criticisms at the original collection, which Yuga dismissed as part of a broader pattern of conduct.

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Appeals Court Overturns Prior Ruling

In 2023, a district court ruled in favour of Yuga Labs, concluding that the NFTs infringed trademarks and could mislead buyers, and ordered initial damages of US$1.5 million (AU$2.18 million), which rose to nearly US$9 million (AU$13.05 million) with fees and penalties. The decision underscored concerns about confusion within the NFT market.

An appeals court later overturned that ruling, stating that the issue should be examined by a jury, effectively reopening the case. The settlement now resolves the matter without a trial while imposing a permanent restriction on the use of Yuga’s intellectual property.

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