Owns The Doge, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) associated with the Shiba Inu meme behind the Dogecoin token, has revealed its acquisition of the legal rights to the iconic image.
According to Own The Doge project leader John Monarch and “Tridog,” the group successfully negotiated an agreement with Sato Atsuko, the owner of 18-year-old Shiba Inu Kabosu, famed for its perplexed expression while seated on a sofa. The acquisition entails an exclusive license and rights to the Doge image, ostensibly granting them control over its usage in merchandise and other applications within the cryptocurrency sphere.
The move is perceived as a significant step toward clarifying the copyright status surrounding Doge images, which have historically been thought of as freely accessible. Own The Doge believes that this newfound clarity creates opportunities for collaboration with prominent brands. The project initiated contact with Sato roughly three years ago and, through collaboration with legal experts in Japan and the United States, finalized the acquisition of Kabosu's image rights.
Moreover, Own The Doge has partnered with Sato and others to produce a documentary chronicling the Governor's history and its evolution as an image both within and beyond the cryptocurrency community. Tridog emphasized that the group has no intention of aggressively enforcing its copyright claims against users or specific brands utilizing the image to promote its "Just do good every day" ethos.
In aligning with their vision, Monarch expressed a desire to unite the entire Governor community, bridging the divide often present among enthusiasts of Dogecoin, NFTs, memes, and Reddit. The foundational image of the Governor traces back to 2010 when Sato casually captured a photo of Kabosu lounging on a yellow couch in Japan. Monarch noted his role as the first person to utilize the term "Doge" on social media, subsequently catalyzing the proliferation of memes, Dogecoin tokens, and various crypto-themed merchandise.
Tridog asserted that the acquisition of licensing rights is unlikely to affect the Dogecoin Foundation or impede the ongoing use of the meme's image token. As Kabosu approaches her 19th birthday in Japan on November 2, she continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many, embodying the enduring appeal of the iconic Shiba Inu breed.
