The viral "Chill Guy" meme, featuring a chill-looking anamorphic dog in casual attire, has become the focus of a fierce copyright battle. Creator Phillip Banks is seeking to secure rights to the meme, which he introduced on Instagram in October 2023, to prevent its unauthorized use in marketing and cryptocurrency projects.
Describing the character as “a chill guy that lowkey doesn’t give a [expletive],” Banks initially gained widespread acclaim for his relatable creation. Social media users embraced the meme, with TikTok captions like, “When you’re just a chill guy enjoying your day.” Barstool Sports called it “a mirror held up to all of us who embody that calm, unbothered vibe.”
But the meme's association with a cryptocurrency token called CHILLGUY, valued at $405 million per CoinMarketCap, has pushed Banks to act. “I do not, and will never, endorse or condone any crypto-related projects involving my work,” he declared on Instagram, emphasizing plans to issue takedowns against unauthorized usage.
The meme has also appeared in ads for Sprite Europe, March Madness, and NFL on CBS, prompting Banks to demand greater control over the character’s commercialization. “I will never give permission to use my art for anything crypto-related,” he reiterated in his statement.
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