IP-Backed Meme Tokens Stir Controversy as Neiro Rights Spark Community Debate
IP-backed meme tokens are becoming a hot topic in the crypto world, but the market is growing increasingly cautious of unlicensed offerings. Intellectual property (IP) ownership may soon lead to a digital standoff over rights to iconic meme characters.
On Tuesday, Own The Doge DAO, the collective that holds the original “Doge” meme IP, announced it had acquired the rights to use images of Neiro, a Shiba Inu recently adopted by Kabosumama, the owner of the original Doge meme dog. The DAO has launched a community discussion to determine which of the many NEIRO tokens should be endorsed as the “official” one.
“We’re pleased to announce that @kabosumama has officially granted our DAO the Neiro IP,” the organization shared on X. “When Atsuko revealed her new adopted dog, Neiro, multiple tokens emerged, competing to claim legitimacy. Our DAO owns the IP rights for Neiro, and now the community can decide which token will represent her.”
The DAO intends to gather community input before holding an on-chain vote by DOG token holders to resolve the matter.
The Rise of Neiro Tokens
Neiro, adopted after Kabosu’s passing in July, inspired the creation of numerous NEIRO tokens on Ethereum and Solana. Two such tokens have since achieved hundreds of millions in market capitalization, supported by active communities. However, Kabosumama has publicly disavowed these tokens.
“I see many tokens related to Kabosu and Neiro. To clarify, I do not endorse any crypto project except @ownthedog $DOG because they own the original Doge photo and IP,” she stated on X. “They are dedicated to charitable works and upholding Doge culture. Please beware of token scams.”
Community Clashes Over Legitimacy
The discussion has sparked heated debate among NEIRO token teams, with each claiming to be the rightful representative of Neiro.
“We believe the Neiro IP should correspond with the first Neiro meme coin on-chain,” the @Neirowoof team stated. “We are the original Neiro token, with a dedicated community guarding Kabosu’s legacy since Neiro’s adoption was announced. Unfortunately, we face opposition from entities aiming for financial gain, but we remain committed to preserving the spirit of Kabosu and Neiro.”
The Growing Relevance of IP in Memecoins
The controversy highlights the increasing significance of IP-backed memecoins in the crypto industry. Historically, memecoins have operated without legal scrutiny, but that may be changing. Tokens based on copyrighted or trademarked characters now face potential legal action from IP holders.
Non-IP tokens like CHILLGUY and PNUT are already encountering legal challenges. On Monday, Mark Longo, the owner of “Peanut the Squirrel,” issued a cease-and-desist letter to Binance, accusing the platform of trademark infringement by listing the PNUT token. Longo claimed Binance used his mascot without authorization, undermining his brand’s educational and animal welfare initiatives.
What’s Next for NEIRO Tokens?
As the legal landscape around memecoins evolves, the fate of NEIRO tokens remains uncertain. For now, the Neiro community will decide how the dog’s IP rights will be used, setting a precedent for how IP-backed tokens are handled in the future.
