Peanut the Squirrel Creator Files Lawsuit Against Binance for IP Theft
Mark Longo, known as Squirrel_Dad on X, has initiated a lawsuit against Binance, the largest crypto exchange, alleging unauthorized use of Peanut the Squirrel's image and story. This legal action has captured the attention of the crypto community amid turmoil in the Peanut-inspired meme coin ecosystem.
Peanut the Squirrel: From Viral Icon to Meme Coin Controversy
Peanut first gained notoriety during a conflict between Longo and New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), which led to the squirrel's death during a controversial raid. The incident incited public outrage, with social media support for Longo, including remarks from Elon Musk.
This tragic event transformed Peanut into a viral sensation, fostering memes and fan art, and leading to the creation of the “Justice for Peanut” (JFP) token, marketed as the genuine PNUT coin. The token launched successfully, achieving a market cap of $116 million shortly after its debut.
On November 11, Binance listed the PNUT token, propelling it to a market capitalization of $1 billion within 11 days of trading, surpassing Dogecoin's growth timeline. The token recently experienced a 20% surge following Coinbase's hints at a potential listing.
However, interest declined rapidly, with the token's value dropping over 95%, currently valued at approximately $3 million. Critics have accused Longo of exploiting the situation for personal gain, with one user labeling him a "value extractor" for abandoning multiple projects after profiting.
Creators Fight Back: The Battle over Meme Ownership and Copyright
The lawsuit against Binance highlights ongoing concerns about intellectual property rights among creators. Longo's actions have sparked discussions regarding the exploitation of creative work in the meme economy. This trend is reflected in Oracle Corporation's recent legal actions against Crypto Oracle LLC for trademark infringement, as well as artist Philip Banks’ plans to enforce copyright on his "Just a Chill Guy" meme character.
In 2020, efforts by Ant Group Ltd aimed to assist content creators in protecting their intellectual property rights through a blockchain-based platform designed to combat copyright infringement.