Holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) can now register their monkey-focused products and/or companies with a special license on their recently launched “Made by Apes” platform, according to a tweet recently posted on BAYC’s X (formerly Twitter) account.
The platform is described as a “first of its kind on-chain licensing for a club full of builders”, in partnership with blockchain protocol SaaSyLabs. It is tailored exclusively for BAYC and Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) holders, granting them a unique on-chain license to use the Yuga-created Made by Apes logo in connection with their products or services featuring their specific monkey.
Made by Monkeys: How it works
By owning a Bored Ape or Mutant Ape NFT, Yuga Labs grants a broad license to holders to use their Ape for both personal and commercial use. The website states that the Made by Apes license “is a certification that the product/service provider owns or has licensed a legitimate BAYC or MAYC NFT.”
Since the initial launch of the BAYC collection in April 2021, we’ve already seen a number of interesting projects emerge from Bored Ape/Mutant Ape IP explorations, including Ape Water, Bored Sauce, Bored & Hungry, and many others. From clothing and retail entertainment to food, consumer packaged goods and cannabis, monkeys are increasingly popping up in pop culture.
To apply for a license, holders must first connect their digital wallet to their Ape(s) and proceed with the license registration process. According to the website, Yuga distinguishes two different types of licenses: the “Primary License” and “Product License”.
The primary license serves as the holder’s master license associated with their specific Ape, which is identified by the first five digits of the license number. Under this license, holders can add product licenses or sublicenses to associate different Apes and products associated with the primary license. This is indicated by the three digits after the primary license numbers. To sublicense, holders must first have a Primary License.
Thanks to our launch partners for helping us raise the bar for commercial rights use: @ApeBeverages @AppliedPrimate @artinmotionlab @BoredBrewingCo @boredchili @BoredMediaGroup @heromachine_eth @LadiesofBAYC @MutantGrape @SpiritPunks_ @storyverse_xyz @warpsound_ai
— Bored Ape Yacht Club (@BoredApeYC) July 24, 2023
Once licensed, holders will be able to display their Made by Apes logo in their projects next to their BAYC or MAYC NFT image. However, this entails two caveats. The first is that the logo must be used “as is” and cannot be altered or tampered with in any way, including removing or watermarking the license number, and that the logo must not be displayed more prominently than the holder’s individual BAYC or MAYC NFT image.
One monkey, several projects
For holders who want to use their individual Ape in multiple projects or services, Yuga says you must register for multiple product licenses, of which there is no cap or restriction on the number a holder can request. For example, if your monkey was used on a t-shirt and you now want to display it on a beer or beverage product, you must register for a new product license.
One project, several monkeys
On the other hand, for holders who may own multiple Apes and want to use them in conjunction with a particular product or service, you only need to apply for one license per Ape. Yuga says that in the “near future” holders will then be able to register the project under a single master license and then add any additional Ape as a sub-license.
The bodega
BAYC members participating in the Made by Apes program will also see their respective goods and services in Yuga Labs’ online directory, known as The Bodega, which is expected to launch later this summer.
“The Bodega will feature all Made by Ape licensees,” the official licensing website reads. “You can browse other BAYC and MAYC community products that use their BAYC and MAYC NFTs to build their brand. It is also a good way to verify that a product with a Made by Apes logo is properly licensed.”
Importantly, the website includes a disclaimer highlighting that The Bodega and the Made by Apes logo “are not an endorsement of the project/products shown.” Those interested in joining the Made by Apes licensing program can start here.