Cartoonist Nicholas Gurewitch sues OKX over his "Quiz Kid" comic in branded posts on X

The complaint

Nicholas Gurewitch v. OKX Inc. (formerly OKCoin USA Inc.), Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd., and Does 1 to 10, No. 5:26-cv-13402 (N.D. Cal.), is a 7-page complaint filed November 7, 2026 in the San Jose Division, with a jury demand. Gurewitch is a New York resident whose PBF comics webpage, according to the complaint, identifies him as the creator of PBF. OKX Inc. is a Delaware corporation based in San Jose, California that, according to the complaint, operates U.S. services under the OKX brand. The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd. is organized under the laws of Seychelles and has operated cryptocurrency services under the OKX name.

The work

The complaint says Gurewitch created "Quiz Kid," an original four-panel illustrated comic, and published it on his PBF website on or about September 3, 2016, that the webpage bears a copyright notice in his name, and that the Copyright Office registered it under Registration No. VA 2-519-253. The Copyright Office record for VA 2-519-253, titled "Quiz Kid (Note Passing)," names Nicholas Gurewitch as author and claimant, lists first publication as September 3, 2016, and shows a registration date of August 19, 2026.

What it alleges

The complaint alleges that the @okx account on X published posts on or about June 25, 2023 and on or about April 14, 2024 that incorporated substantially similar expression from the comic and added OKX's logo or trademark, as advertising for the OKX business. It alleges, on information and belief, that the defendants or their agents copied the comic, prepared the branded version, and uploaded it, and that the posts remained available at least through November 5, 2026. It says Gurewitch is informed and believes that one or more defendants, acting directly or through agents responsible for the @okx account, commissioned, approved, published, maintained, or controlled the posts. It says Gurewitch or his agents were aware of the posts no later than June 1, 2026.

The claim and relief

The First Claim for Relief pleads direct copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 106 and 501, including reproduction, an infringing derivative adaptation, and public display, and alleges the conduct was willful or at least reckless. Gurewitch asks for a declaration of infringement, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief under 17 U.S.C. 502, actual damages and profits under 17 U.S.C. 504(b) or statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(c), costs and fees under 17 U.S.C. 505 to the extent authorized, including under 17 U.S.C. 412, and prejudgment and postjudgment interest where available.