Made by Apes is an on-chain licensing program developed by Yuga Labs, the creator of the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), to formally recognize and amplify the commercial projects created by its community members.1 Launched in July 2023, the program provides a framework for holders of Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC) non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to obtain an official license for businesses and products that feature their unique Ape’s intellectual property (IP).2
The initiative, created in partnership with the blockchain-based legal solutions developer SaaSy Labs, serves as a verification system, allowing creators to use a “Made by Apes” logo with a unique, on-chain license number.2 This system not only provides a mark of authenticity for consumers but also creates a formal directory of community-built ventures, reinforcing the ecosystem’s unique approach to decentralized brand building.4
Background: A New Paradigm of Commercial IP Rights
A core innovation of Yuga Labs’ Bored Ape Yacht Club, launched in April 2021, was its approach to intellectual property.7 Unlike many earlier NFT projects that restricted the use of their underlying artwork, Yuga Labs granted BAYC and MAYC holders extensive commercial rights to the specific Ape they owned.9 This meant that an NFT owner could use their Ape’s image to create and sell their own merchandise, develop independent brands, or launch entire companies.8
This strategy effectively decentralized brand-building, empowering thousands of holders to become entrepreneurs and brand ambassadors.11 In the two years following BAYC’s launch, community members created a diverse range of products, from clothing and coffee to restaurants and media ventures.2 While this fostered immense creativity and brand growth, it also created a need for a system to verify that these products were genuinely created by the legitimate owners of the Ape IP.4 The “Made by Apes” program was developed to address this need, providing a clear, on-chain method for authenticating holder-created projects.4
The Licensing Program
The “Made by Apes” (MBA) program is a platform where BAYC and MAYC holders can apply for and receive a license to use the official MBA certification mark on their products and services.5
How It Works
To participate, an NFT holder must connect a wallet that proves ownership of a BAYC or MAYC NFT and submit an application.13 Upon approval by Yuga Labs, the applicant is issued a unique license number that is recorded on the blockchain.5 This on-chain verification allows the Ape’s commercial use history to be tracked and provides a transparent way for consumers and partners to confirm the authenticity of the product.5
The program is structured around two main types of licenses 3:
- Primary License: This is the main license associated with a specific BAYC or MAYC NFT. It is a prerequisite for licensing any products and is identified by the first five digits of the full license number.3
- Product License: These are sub-licenses that fall under a Primary License. A holder needs a separate Product License for each distinct project or product line that features their Ape. There is no limit to the number of Product Licenses that can be requested for a single Ape.3
For projects that feature multiple Apes, the owner of each Ape must obtain a separate license.5 Yuga Labs has indicated that a future update will allow such projects to be registered under a single master license with the other Apes added as sub-licenses.3
Eligibility and Rules of Use
Participation in the Made by Apes program is subject to a detailed set of rules and eligibility requirements.13
Eligibility: To qualify for a license, an applicant must:
- Own a BAYC or MAYC NFT at all times in a wallet linked to their application.13
- Have either previously sold or have a genuine intent to sell goods or services that feature their Ape’s artwork.13
- Intend to use the “Made by Apes” certification mark in commerce.13
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding their products and business operations.13
Use of the Certification Mark: Once a license is granted, the holder may display the “Made by Apes” logo on their products, packaging, and marketing materials. However, its use is governed by strict conditions 3:
- The logo must be used “as-is” and cannot be altered in any way.5
- The logo cannot be featured more prominently than the image of the BAYC or MAYC NFT itself.14
- The use of the mark must not be profane, hateful, misleading, or damaging to the Yuga Labs and BAYC brands.13
The license does not grant any rights to Yuga Labs’ overarching trademarks, such as “Bored Ape Yacht Club” or “BAYC”.13 It serves solely as a certification that the product provider is the legitimate owner of the featured Ape NFT.3
The Bodega: A Directory of Licensed Creations
A key component of the “Made by Apes” initiative is The Bodega, an official online directory that showcases all active and verified MBA licenses.15 Launched in September 2023, The Bodega serves as a centralized and publicly accessible catalog where consumers can browse community-built products and verify their authenticity.6
The directory integrates directly with on-chain data, ensuring that the information displayed is always current and accurate.15 This feature provides a crucial layer of trust for consumers, allowing them to easily check if a product displaying the “Made by Apes” logo has a valid license.3 Yuga Labs has clarified that inclusion in The Bodega is not an endorsement of the projects but rather a verification of their licensed status.3
Examples of Licensed Projects
Since the inception of BAYC, and more formally through the Made by Apes program, holders have launched a wide variety of commercial ventures. Examples include:
- Food and Beverage: Brands such as Ape Water, Bored Coffee, Bored Brewing Co., Bored Treats, and Face Melting Hot Sauces have used their Apes for branding.2 The
Mutant Grape Wine Club offers cases of wine to its NFT minters.6 - Restaurants: The Bored & Hungry burger restaurant in Long Beach, California, was one of the earliest and most high-profile examples of a business built around BAYC IP.3
- Media and Entertainment: Bored Media Group is a media company founded by community members.2
- Web3 and Metaverse: Metagate, a mixed reality development company, joined the MBA program to create immersive experiences (APEXR) dedicated to the Apes’ world.1
Strategic Significance
The Made by Apes program represents a significant step in the evolution of NFT-based intellectual property. It formalizes and supports the organic, community-led brand building that has been a hallmark of BAYC’s success.4 By providing a clear framework for licensing and verification, the program achieves several key objectives:
- Enhances Authenticity and Trust: It gives consumers a reliable way to distinguish genuine holder-created products from unauthorized copies.4
- Amplifies Community Projects: The program and The Bodega directory provide increased visibility and a stamp of legitimacy for creators, helping their projects reach a wider audience.1
- Creates a Positive Feedback Loop: As community-built businesses gain traction, they increase the overall brand awareness and cultural relevance of the entire BAYC ecosystem, which in turn benefits all holders.6
- Sets an Industry Precedent: The on-chain licensing model is a novel approach that could influence how other Web3 projects manage commercial IP rights in the future.4
By empowering its community of “builders,” Yuga Labs continues to experiment with a business model where value and brand identity are co-created and shared with its user base.2
References
- Metagate. (n.d.). MBA License. Discover.TheMetagate.it. https://discover.themetagate.it/en/pages/mba-made-by-apes-mutant-ape-yacht-club
- Bored Ape Yacht Club Launches “Made By Apes,” Allowing Holders to License BAYC-Themed Businesses and Products. (n.d.). Binance.com. https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/852880
- BAYC/MAYC Holders Can Now Request a “Made by Apes” License. (2023). NFTNow.com. https://nftnow.com/news/yuga-labs-debuts-licensing-platform-for-ape-holders-projects/
- BAYC’s ‘Made by Apes’ Ushers In A New Era Of On-Chain Licensing Marvels. (n.d.). CryptoRank.io. https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/a8396-205614-baycs-made-by-apes-ushers-in-a-new-era
- Yuga Labs launches network licensing for BAYC and MAYC brands called “Made by Apes”. (n.d.). NFTMetria.com. https://nftmetria.com/nft-news/yuga-labs-license/
- Introducing ‘Made by Apes’ Builders Club. (2023). Supra.com. https://supra.com/academy/introducing-made-by-apes-builders-club/
- Yuga Labs. (n.d.). About. Yuga.com. https://yuga.com/about/
- Yuga Labs: The Creators of Bored Apes and More. (2024). Bitstamp.net. https://www.bitstamp.net/learn/company-profiles/yuga-labs-the-creators-of-bored-apes-and-more/
- Yuga Labs LLC. (n.d.). Mutant Ape Yacht Club. BoredApeYachtClub.com. https://boredapeyachtclub.com/licenses/mayc
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. (2022). The Growing Complexity of Commercial Rights Issues in NFTs. Skadden.com. https://www.skadden.com/-/media/files/publications/2022/06/skadden_discusses_the_growing_complexity_of_commercial_rights_issues_in_nfts.pdf
- The NFT Business Model Explained (Made By Apes Case Study). (n.d.). YouTube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ec8gwLulcA
- Do Bored Apes have a copyright problem?. (n.d.). TechnoLlama.co.uk. https://www.technollama.co.uk/do-bored-apes-have-a-copyright-problem
- Yuga Labs Made By, LLC. (n.d.). Licenses. BoredApeYachtClub.com. https://boredapeyachtclub.com/licenses/mba
- Empowering Ape Creators: Introducing Made by Apes. (2023). NFTCulture.com. https://www.nftculture.com/nft-news/empowering-ape-creators-introducing-made-by-apes/
- Bored Ape Yacht Club Launches Official License Directory: “Made By Apes Bodega”. (2023). NFTCulture.com. https://www.nftculture.com/nft-news/bored-ape-yacht-club-launches-official-license-directory-made-by-apes-bodega/
- Metagate is now part of the Made By Apes program, the official initiative launched by Yuga Labs on ApeChain to support projects that use BAYC and MAYC IPs. (2025). Discover.TheMetagate.it. https://discover.themetagate.it/en/blogs/news/metagate-mba-apexr