Business
Chill Guy Memes Creator Threatens Over Copyright
If you’re a regular on social media, you most likely came across the viral “Chill Guy” memes. Users on many different sites have expressed interest in this dog meme.
Illustrator Philip Banks brought chill man memes to life; he debuted them on October 4, 2023, and the internet has not stopped buzzing.
What, then, makes the Chill Guy memes so appealing?
The “Chill Guy” memes center around an image of an elegant, anthropomorphic dog. Wearing a grey sweater, rolled-up blue pants and red trainers, the figure exudes a naturally laid-back attitude. His hands, or paws, lie carelessly in his pockets, along with a faint, confident smile.
The internet immediately embraced this loose attitude. Social media users have been redefining the character in several ways and using him to comment on anything from daily challenges to political concerns.
The meme’s relatability appeals to everyone. Memes with “Chill Guy” are now showing up on Instagram and X (previously Twitter), and many people use the moniker “Chill Guy” to post their original works.
Not even big names have resisted the trend. ‘Chill Guy’ memes have been used in advertising campaigns by companies such as Sprite, CBS, and the National Football League (NFL).
Philip Banks has not, however, been welcoming of the evolution. He threatened to send takedown warnings for assets or applications using the character a few days ago.
On his X handle, he wrote, “Just putting it out there, the chill guy has been copyrighted. Like, legally. I’ll be issuing takedowns on for-profit-related things over the next few days.
not like brand accounts using him as a trend, that’s kinda something i dont really care about (i do just ask for credit. or xboxes.). mainly unauthorized merchandise and shitcoins
— philb (@PhillipBankss) November 21, 2024
In a subsequent post, he added, “Not like brand accounts using him as a trend, that’s kinda something I don’t really care about (i do just ask for credit. or xboxes.). mainly unauthorized merchandise and shitcoins.”
He also commented on Instagram to criticize his work’s use on crypto-related projects. In a post, he said, “I do not, and will never, endorse or condone any crypto-related projects involving my work.”
The Chill Guy meme doesn’t seem to be nearing death anytime soon. Given Phillip Banks’ growing focus on copyright protection, however, it is uncertain how much this relaxed approach will appeal.
