Social media keeps buzzing with the rise of new trends. The latest one is the Chill Guy meme which has taken every platform by storm including the cryptocurrency market. However, things have taken an ugly turn with the emergence of a copyright controversy. So, what is the Chill Guy meme all about, and how did it end up in a copyright feud?
Here is everything you need to know about the chaos surrounding the unique meme.
Chill Guy meme explained
On October 4, 2023, a creator named Phillip Banks dropped a reel on his Instagram. It contained the image of an anamorphic brown-colored and short-stature dog. He appears in a confident position wearing a grey sweater, blue jeans, and red sneakers. The highlight of the dog is its cheeky expression. Banks gave an interesting caption to the post as, ”My new character. His whole deal is he’s a chill guy that lowkey doesn’t give a (expletive).”
Social media users quickly found the character relatable, with some even comparing it to Brian Griffin from Family Guy. By October 2024, the meme went viral, becoming a popular way for users to express a carefree attitude. It was widely shared across platforms, with its unique charm resonating deeply with audiences.
What is the Chill Guy meme copyright feud about?
As mentioned above, the Chill Guy meme has caused waves on social media due to its uniqueness. Besides social media trends, brands like Sprite Europe, NFL on CBS, and March Madness started including it in their marketing campaign. Soon, the meme made its way to the cryptocurrency market. As per CoinMarketCap, the ChillGuy meme was converted into a crypto token which ended up reaching a market value of more than $450 million. (via MSN)
However, this does not sit well with the original creator Phillip Banks. He took to his X demanding a copyright of its creation which is being used by profit institutions without permission.
Banks also dropped a reel on Instagram explaining he will never endorse any crypto-related projects involving his work. He also stated, ”I will never give permission to use my art for anything crypto-related. I have absolutely no interest in anything crypto-related.”
As of now, the meme continues to stand on cryptocurrency websites.