AI startup Artisan settles with ‘This is fine’ meme creator KC Green over ad dispute
The settlement resolves a dispute over bus and subway advertisements in New York and San Francisco that used the artist’s work to promote an AI assistant.
Artisan, an artificial intelligence startup, has reached a settlement with KC Green, the artist behind the widely recognised “This is fine” meme, following a dispute over the unauthorised use of his artwork in advertising campaigns. The agreement resolves tensions that escalated after the company deployed bus and subway advertisements in New York and San Francisco featuring Green’s iconic imagery.
The advertisements promoted Artisan’s AI assistant, Ava, by depicting Green’s dog amidst flames. Instead of the original caption, the ads read “My pipeline is on fire” and urged viewers to “Hire Ava the AI BDR.” The campaign drew immediate criticism from Green, who publicly condemned the misuse of his intellectual property.
Green had previously told TechCrunch that he was frustrated by the need to engage with the American court system rather than focusing on his comics. In social media posts, he described his art as having been “stolen like AI steals” and urged followers to vandalise the advertisements if they encountered them in public spaces.
Artisan founder and CEO Jaspar Carmichael-Jack confirmed earlier this week that the two parties had come to an agreement. The company stated it held “a lot of respect for Green and his work.” On 31 May 2026, Green confirmed to TechCrunch that the settlement had been reached “pretty quick.”
As part of the resolution, Artisan has removed the advertisements from public transport in New York and San Francisco. Green has subsequently withdrawn his initial social media posts criticising the startup. The specific financial terms or legal conditions of the settlement have not been disclosed.
