Tung Tung Sahur, one of the internet's most recognizable brainrot characters, is at the center of a federal court battle that could help determine who owns the rights to viral AI-era meme characters.
The lawsuit involves Spyder Games LLC and Speedy Simulator Gaming LLC, creators of the hit Roblox game Steal a Brainrot, and French company Mementum Lab SAS, which says it represents the creators behind several popular brainrot characters, including Tung Tung Sahur.
Mementum claims the character was created by Indonesian content creator Noxa, inspired by the Ramadan tradition of waking people for Sahur using a kentongan, a traditional wooden drum.
After the character appeared in Steal a Brainrot, Mementum sent the game's developers a cease-and-desist letter, arguing they needed permission to use it.
The developers initially removed Tung Tung Sahur and entered licensing talks, but negotiations fell apart. After the character returned to the game, Spyder and Speedy filed a federal lawsuit in California seeking a ruling that Mementum does not hold valid U.S. copyright over the character.
The dispute has since expanded beyond copyright. Mementum argues that Tung Tung Sahur's name and image are protected by trademark law and says it has already licensed the character for games, toys, books, and other products, including Fortnite-related projects.
Spyder and Speedy counter that Mementum is improperly using trademark law to control a fictional character that should instead fall under copyright rules.
A key issue is whether AI-assisted meme characters qualify for copyright protection in the United States. Spyder and Speedy argue the characters were generated using AI without the level of human authorship required under U.S. copyright law, while Mementum says the creators were deeply involved in developing the characters' names, stories, voices, music, and videos.
The case has grown into a broader fight over who can control and monetize viral internet characters as they spread across games, merchandise, and other media. A major hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2026, with the court expected to consider motions from both sides that could shape the future of AI-generated intellectual property.