- Bored Ape NFT holder Asif Kamal has sent a legal notice to Yuga Labs regarding injuries sustained at ApeFest.
- Approximately 1% of the participants experienced eye and skin injuries.
The aftermath of ApeFest in Hong Kong, which involved eye and skin injuries, served as a wake-up call, leading the NFT community to seek accountability from the event organizers — Yuga Labs.
Yuga Labs, the developer of the renowned Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) and Mutant Ape Yacht Club (MAYC), organized a three-day flagship event for its Ape community in Hong Kong. Nearly 2,250 participants gathered at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on November 4. The DJ booth, vibrant neon lights, and the community’s celebratory atmosphere generated excitement in the venue. However, concerns were raised when reports of photokeratitis and skin injuries began to circulate on Twitter.
TheNewsCrypto spoke with Asif Kamal, founder and CEO of ArtFi, an attendee who experienced distressing effects post-ApeFest.
What Exactly Happened After ApeFest?
Kamal expressed his admiration and appreciation for the positive energy and atmosphere that Yuga Labs contributes to the NFT space. He recounted two personal “good experiences” from ApeFest. First, he acquired his first BAYC NFT valued at over $60,000. Second, this purchase took place in the presence of Garga (Greg Solano), co-founder of Yuga Labs, followed by a 10-minute conversation with him.
Despite these positive experiences, it was the aftermath the next morning that unsettled the community. Kamal remarked, “I had to admit myself to the hospital for 3-4 hours due to a severe condition — with injured eyes and a swollen face.”
Attendees began voicing their concerns on X (Twitter), highlighting their troubling symptoms affecting their eyes and skin, along with the anxiety and fear of potential vision loss. According to Yuga Labs, 1% of the participants and staff at ApeFest were impacted.
Days after conducting an investigation on Thursday, Yuga Labs disclosed that the incident was caused by the UV-A emitting lights used in the event venue. When asked whether attendees had been warned or informed in advance about the use of UV light, Kamal stated that they were not adequately informed.
Yuga Labs’ “Negligence” Prompted a Legal Move
Kamal, affected by the incident, expressed his dissatisfaction with Yuga Labs’ response in the aftermath. He pointed out the absence of sincere outreach and “manipulative” communication from the company during this difficult time. He believes that a simple acknowledgment along with timely support, such as providing helpline numbers in Hong Kong, would have alleviated the “anxiety” of the affected attendees.
Kamal has decided to escalate the discourse with Yuga Labs into the legal domain. His company, ArtFi, has issued a letter before action, also known as a legal notice, to Yuga Labs, but as of now, there has been no reply. The aim of this legal action is to demand that the ApeFest organizer “take responsibility for their actions.”
Additionally, in support of all those affected by the event, Asif Kamal has launched a change petition. He stated:
“By signing this petition, you are advocating for a safer environment at public events where our health isn’t compromised due to negligence or lack of regulations. […] I, along with others from the ecosystem, am not here to attack, claim, or blame. We are here for common safety measures.”
In conclusion, Asif Kamal, through this initiative, urges companies to implement essential precautions during public events, avoiding any actions that could jeopardize attendees’ health.
