When Viral Fame Meets Corporate Game: The $123K Dance Heist

Boom! TikTok sensation Kelley Heyer just threw the legal gauntlet at Roblox – and this isn’t some virtual slap fight. We’re talking about cold, hard cash and stolen creative genius. The battleground? Her explosive “Apple” dance that set the internet on fire.

“Roblox moved forward using Kelley’s IP without a signed agreement. We saw no other option than to file suit to prove that independent creators deserve fair compensation.”

Miki Anzai, Heyer’s attorney

From Viral Sensation to Legal Firestorm

Here’s how this digital drama unfolded:

• June 2024: Heyer drops the “Apple” dance to Charli XCX’s hit – instant viral explosion
• Summer 2024: Charli XCX herself invites Heyer to perform live in NYC
• Corporate Move: Roblox and Fortnite both cash in by selling the dance as avatar emotes
• The Difference: Fortnite played fair with licensing – Roblox allegedly didn’t

The $123,000 Question

According to Polygon’s investigation, Roblox allegedly pocketed over $123,000 from selling 60,000+ copies of Heyer’s dance. That’s not just virtual coins – that’s real-world rent money stolen from a creator’s pocket.

“We remain willing to settle… but we will fight to prove creators deserve fair compensation.”

Heyer’s legal team

Roblox’s Corporate Two-Step

The gaming giant’s response? A carefully choreographed PR move:

• Claims to “take IP protection seriously”
• Talks about protecting “creators on and off platform”
• Meanwhile – allegedly – no signed agreement with the actual creator

Why This Fight Matters

This isn’t just about one dance. It’s about the WAR for creator rights in the digital age. When corporations can swipe viral content without paying creators, we all lose. Heyer’s lawsuit could set the precedent that stops Big Tech from treating creators like free content farms.

Final Thought: In the battle between viral creators and corporate platforms, who’s really doing the stealing? The answer might surprise you – and change the internet forever.