Yuga Labs and Ryder Ripps End NFT Legal Battle

Yuga Labs, the creator of the popular Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, has reached a settlement with artist Ryder Ripps and entrepreneur Jeremy Cahen, concluding a protracted legal dispute. The specifics of the agreement are confidential, but it is understood to prohibit Ripps from utilizing trademarks and images belonging to Yuga Labs. This resolution comes after a period of intense legal back-and-forth that began with Yuga Labs suing Ripps for trademark infringement and other related claims.

Initially, a judge ruled in favor of Yuga Labs in February 2024, ordering Ripps and Cahen to pay approximately $9 million. However, this decision was later overturned by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in July of last year, mandating a jury trial. The legal proceedings were marked by contentious exchanges, with the judge noting obstructive behavior from the defendants.

The dispute originated from Ripps' creation of the 'RR/BAYC' NFT project, which he described as protest art that re-contextualized Bored Ape NFT imagery. Yuga Labs contended that Ripps was trolling and scamming consumers by misusing their trademarks to devalue the original NFTs. A recent court filing on April 7, 2026, confirmed that a settlement agreement had been reached, avoiding a trial.

During the pendency of the lawsuit, the prominence of Bored Ape NFTs had waned, though they reappeared last year with the 'Otherside' metaverse experience. Representatives for Ripps have reiterated the confidential nature of the settlement terms, while Yuga Labs has declined to comment.