Seth Green’s Bored Ape NFT, BAYC #8398—whom he named Fred—was reported stolen in a phishing incident in May 2022, just before Green planned to feature the character in a television project called White Horse Tavern. The ape was later reported returned to Green, but available reporting does not establish whether the show was ultimately released.
What was stolen from Seth Green?
Green said he had been phished and that four NFTs were taken: Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) #8398, two Mutant Apes, and a Doodle. He called the Bored Ape Fred. The incident concerned control of the tokens and the rights and practical ability associated with them—not a physical animal, and not the erasure of an image file. Futurism’s contemporaneous report and BuzzFeed News coverage described the theft.
The reports do not identify the attacker or establish every technical detail of how the phishing occurred. The careful description is that Green said he was phished and reported the NFTs stolen.
Why did the Bored Ape matter to a TV project?
Green had been developing Fred as the star of White Horse Tavern. At VeeCon in May 2022, he said he had bought the ape in July 2021 and spent months developing the intellectual property for the show. He described the theft as happening days before Fred’s planned world debut. The statement was relayed by Futurism from BuzzFeed News reporting; it captures Green’s plan at the time, not confirmation that a series later aired.
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The token was important because a BAYC license connects certain uses of the artwork to the token’s owner. Yuga Labs’ BAYC terms grant the owner, subject to continued compliance, an unlimited worldwide license to use, copy, and display the purchased art to create derivative works. The same terms say that this grant does not convey Yuga’s other trademarks or intellectual-property rights.
Does owning the NFT mean owning all the copyright?
No. The license language describes permission to use the artwork under stated conditions; it is not a blanket transfer of all copyright or Yuga Labs’ trademarks. Nor does the terms page by itself determine the legal effect of a theft, a disputed transfer, or a later purchase. The exact rights in a particular dispute can depend on facts and law beyond the license text.
An excerpt from a 2022 SEC filing described the then-current BAYC license as royalty-free and worldwide and discussed fake websites used in NFT phishing campaigns, including targeting collectors such as Green. That filing provides context about the terms and phishing environment; it is not an SEC finding on the merits of Green’s individual dispute. SEC filing excerpt.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was Fred returned, and did the show come out?
Futurism reported that the ape was bought after the theft by a pseudonymous collector, DarkWing83. Green said in June 2022 that he had connected with the buyer. By August, The Block reported that the ape had been returned and that Green was launching the show. Those reports establish the reported return and a 2022 launch plan, not the project’s eventual release, cancellation, or completion. The Block’s August 2022 report.
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- NFT Crypto Fashion design. Bitcoin, crypto, and blockchain technology markets are NOT the same thing as tulip-mania. NFT's though...they kind of are. So why blow 50 ETH on a JPEG when you can just buy a tulip adorned piece of clothing. Think about it.
- NFT inspired items to wear. All items are non-transferable to the Metaverse.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #4
- NFT Crypto Fashion design. Bitcoin, crypto, and blockchain technology markets are NOT the same thing as tulip-mania. NFT's though...they kind of are. So why blow 50 ETH on a JPEG when you can just buy a tulip adorned piece of clothing. Think about it.
- NFT inspired items to wear. All items are non-transferable to the Metaverse.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #3
- NFT Crypto Fashion design. Bitcoin, crypto, and blockchain technology markets are NOT the same thing as tulip-mania. NFT's though...they kind of are. So why blow 50 ETH on a JPEG when you can just buy a tulip adorned piece of clothing. Think about it.
- NFT inspired items to wear. All items are non-transferable to the Metaverse.
- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
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