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Yuga Labs Settles Bored Ape Trademark Case, Shutting Down RR/BAYC

The settlement ends the case before trial with broad injunctions replacing any public damages award.

Overview

  • A court filing Wednesday, April 8, confirmed a settlement between Yuga Labs and artists Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen that ends the RR/BAYC lawsuit.
  • The stipulated permanent injunction bars any use of Bored Ape Yacht Club names, logos, or other branding across NFTs, websites, social accounts, or other goods and services.
  • The agreement dismantles the RR/BAYC project by prohibiting new minting, marketing, sales, or royalty collection and by requiring transfer of remaining NFTs, domains, and smart‑contract infrastructure to Yuga Labs.
  • The deal averts a jury trial on whether buyers were misled after the Ninth Circuit vacated an earlier nearly $9 million award and sent that question to a jury while affirming that NFTs can qualify as goods under trademark law.
  • Ripps and Cahen had cast RR/BAYC as satirical appropriation art, and the settlement leaves those First Amendment claims unresolved while signaling that courts will enforce control over on‑chain assets tied to trademarked brands.