Chill Guy meme sparks copyright dispute as creator seeks legal action

The Chill Guy meme, featuring a confident dog character created by Phillip Banks, went viral after its debut on Instagram in October 2023. Users embraced its carefree attitude, leading to widespread sharing across social media and even its use in marketing campaigns. However, a copyright dispute has emerged as Banks claims his creation is being used without permission by brands and in the cryptocurrency market. He has expressed intentions to take legal action against those profiting from his work, particularly targeting merchandise and crypto tokens. Banks has stated he will not endorse any crypto projects involving his art and has locked his social media account following the controversy. Despite the dispute, the meme remains popular in various online spaces.