Artist threatens legal action on ‘Chill Guy’ meme tokens, community responds

The creator of the art used in the viral “Just a chill guy” meme threatened to take legal action against memecoins that use the image. 

On Nov. 15, a Just a chill guy (CHILLGUY) token was launched in the Solana network. The token became popular, reaching a market capitalization of $580 million at one point. The memecoin currently trades at $0.4, with a market cap of $400 million. 

However, the creator of the art used in the memecoin disagrees with its usage for crypto-related endeavors. The artist now threatens legal action against the crypto tokens that used his art without permission. 

Chill Guy art creator threatens legal action against tokens

On Nov. 21, the artist who goes by “PhillipBankss” on X posted that he copyrighted the meme character “Chill Guy.” The meme art creator said he will issue takedowns on for-profit things in the next few days. 

The artist added that he did not care about brands using the character to ride the trend. However, the creator said he would go after “unauthorized merchandise and shitcoins.” On Nov. 18, the art creator also clarified that he does not endorse or consent to his art being used in “crypto.” 

Cointelegraph reached out to PhillipBankss but did not get an immediate response. 

Related: ‘DOGE’ could increase economic freedom in US — Coinbase CEO

Community responds to Chill Guy art creator

While PhillipBankss may have threatened to take legal action against the memecoin, community members believe that the artist would not have any luck going after something based on the blockchain. 

One community member pointed out that taking legal action may be “nearly impossible” for tokens launched anonymously and decentralized. Another X user posted a similar sentiment, saying that the crypto token is now immortalized on the blockchain. The community member said the memecoin would exist with or without the artist. 

Meanwhile, some X users believe the artist should use the opportunity to make money. A community member suggested that the artist make a non-fungible token (NFT) auction and “make bank,” while another said to “take the money and retire peacefully.” 

However, some defended the artist’s decision, saying he is an artist and “not a scammer.” 

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