Spotlight
Untangling Intellectual Property in the Crypto Frontier
-A Legal Quagmire in the Blockchain World:
- Intellectual property in crypto is hard to enforce, especially with memecoins. Disputes like the one between Mark Longo and Binance over the “Peanut the Squirrel” meme, can harm reputations, trigger lawsuits, and shake investor confidence through lost trust and credibility.
The High Stakes of Meme Ownership
-Unauthorized Use and Its Consequences:
In contrast, the $ZEUS token, launched on May 21, offers a rare case of clarity. Its creators legally secured all rights to Zeus, a dog character inspired by Matt Furie’s Boy’s Club comics. Unlike derivative tokens such as $WOLF and $BRETT, $ZEUS is based on a lesser-known but lore-rich figure: Pepe’s dog, a silent swamp guardian now stepping into the spotlight.
You can access Zeus on DEXTools here:
A Core Character in Pepe Mythology
-From Obscurity to Center Stage:
- Zeus isn’t just a background character: he’s the unsung hero of the Pepe universe, emerging with his own narrative and fanbase. The token is built around original artwork by ND Haus, a core contributor to the project.
- Jon “Jagged” Eyrick, owner of the real-life Zeus and original holder of the IP rights, is also a founding member. The team secured the original Zeus NFT to verify their claim of ownership, using NFTs as legal evidence, particularly in relation to copyrights.
A Meme With Real Provenance
-Authenticity Backed by Documentation:
- $ZEUS has deep cultural roots and a growing base of early meme community supporters. The team has gone to great lengths to validate ND Haus’s artistic contribution, including photo evidence and a video call featuring her, Jagged, and the dog Zeus himself.
- This makes $ZEUS the only Furie-adjacent token, aside from $PEPE, with verifiable involvement from the original artist and rights holder. Despite lacking VC funding, the token’s market cap surged from $50,000 to over $24.6 million, a clear sign of community trust and strong fundamentals.
Built From the Ground Up
-Grassroots Growth With Legal Backbone:
- Like other successful memecoins such as $SHIB, $PEPE, and $FLOKI, $ZEUS developed organically. Its smart contract ends in “ccc8,” a nod to meme-savvy branding strategies.
- On June 6, Zeus CC8 INC was granted trademark protection for the Zeus name and visual identity. The company structure was formalized with full approval from Jagged, who officially transferred all IP rights. Still, copycats attempted to exploit the brand, prompting immediate legal enforcement based on solid IP ownership.
- The trademark status now invalidates similar future filings and opens the door to brand extensions, from toys and merchandise to animated content.
Challenging the Meme Ownership Debate
-Why IP Still Matters in a Decentralized Culture:
- Despite its legitimacy, $ZEUS has faced criticism from figures like Mishaboar of the Dogecoin community. He argues that memes, by nature, are free-flowing and should not be owned.
- However, that perspective ignores the legal and commercial value of creative ownership. As memecoins become serious financial instruments, questions of IP inevitably arise, and clear ownership becomes a strategic advantage.
What’s Next for $ZEUS
-A Vision Beyond the Token:
The $ZEUS team is preparing several major initiatives:
- Flying ND Haus to meet the real Zeus
- Producing a behind-the-scenes documentary
- Launching a lore-based decentralized app
- Releasing exclusive merchandise and toys
- Pursuing listings on centralized exchanges
Additionally, ND Haus is crafting a limited-edition comic series telling Zeus’s origin story, adventures, and lore, slated for Q3 2025. The first 10,000 holders will receive exclusive NFTs tied to the narrative.
In Q4 2025, the project plans to launch a DAO, led by ND Haus, to fund emerging artists in the meme and NFT spaces, promoting originality over copy-paste hype.
A New Standard in Meme Culture
-From Supporting Role to Leading Icon
- After years of watching frogs dominate meme culture, the dog has finally stepped into his moment. $ZEUS isn’t just another speculative token: it’s a project with genuine history, verified authorship, and a roadmap rooted in creativity.
- In a space crowded with imitations, $ZEUS is proving that authenticity, artistry, and ownership can still lead the way in the world of memecoins.
Disclaimer: This article is part of a paid PR (Public Relations) campaign. The content was produced in collaboration with the featured project or its representatives and may include promotional material. DEXTools does not provide financial or investment recommendations. Always do your own research (DYOR) and exercise caution before making any decisions.
