The move includes the removal of all Ethereum Punks images and the removal of tweets referencing Ethereum Punks, including the introduction of the Ethscriptions protocol.
Yuga Labs has been a driving force in the non-fungible token (NFT) space. The Ethereum Punks website, which showcased a collection of unique digital artworks inspired by CryptoPunks, received a lot of attention from the crypto community. However, it seems that Yuga Labs has decided to exercise control over the use of their intellectual property.
At the request of Yuga Labs, the owner of CryptoPunks, I am removing the Ethereum Punks website, removing all Ethereum Punks images from https://t.co/ZcR9HKlexS, and removing my Tweets that reference Ethereum Punks, including my Tweet which introduces the Etschrift protocol.
— Middlemarch (@dumbnamenumbers) Jul 11, 2023
Yuga Labs’ request has resulted in the immediate removal of the Ethereum Punks website, leaving many enthusiasts and collectors surprised and disappointed. The website had served as a platform for artists and developers to showcase their own variations and interpretations of the popular CryptoPunks characters.
The hosted images of Ethereum Punks will be removed. This move will undoubtedly affect the community of artists and collectors who had used the platform to earn money and exhibit their unique creations.
the creator of Ethereum Punks has agreed to remove all tweets referring to Ethereum Punks, including the first tweet introducing the Ethscriptions Protocol. This decision marks a clear effort to accommodate Yuga Labs’ request and to respect their intellectual property rights.
The exact reasoning behind Yuga Labs’ request remains secret. However, it is not uncommon for companies to protect their brand and maintain control over the use of their assets, especially in the fast-moving and competitive world of NFTs.
As the takedown progresses, the Ethereum Punks community continues to ponder the future of their beloved project. Many hope that Yuga Labs will provide further clarification or suggest alternative ways to collaborate and present derivative works inspired by CryptoPunks.