The viral YouTube video
Charlie Bit Mesold on May 23 as a non-fungible token (NFT) for about $761,000, with the creators offering to remove the original clip from the video platform forever.
But the internet needs not fear.
Charlie Bit Me will remain on YouTube, says Howard Davies-Carr, the father of the now-famous children featured in the video. The video has racked up 884 million views since it was first uploaded in 2007.
“After the auction we connected with the buyer, who ended up deciding to keep the video on YouTube,” Davies-Carr told Quartz. “The buyer felt that the video is an important part of popular culture and shouldn’t be taken down. It will now live on YouTube for the masses to continue enjoying as well as memorialized as an NFT on the blockchain.”
The buyer of the NFT for the 2007 meme decided it was too big a part of internet history to take down forever, so they changed the terms of the auction. This will only lead to chaos and confusion in the already ridiculous NFT marketplace.
Charlie Bit My Finger: Classic YouTube Video Bought For £535,000 Chawley! That weally hurt!
The hilarious Charlie Bit My Finger home video featuring a toothy baby and his startled big brother is getting yanked from YouTube after the boys’ parents auctioned it off for a hefty £535,000.
The clip, posted so the boys’ godparents could see it in America, is a moment of internet history. It’s one of the most popular videos ever and has been watched 883 million times on YouTube. (It was still posted on Monday night.)
In it, big brother Harry Davies-Carr, 3, sticks his finger into year-old Charlie’s mouth as the two smile. When Charlie chomps down, Harry begs him to stop. “Chawley! That weally hurt!” he cries. Charlie giggles.
After 14 years and 883 million views, the beloved clip goes the way of “Disaster Girl” and “Overly Attached Girlfriend” in its new digital transformation.