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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Original Character Do Not Steal” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70, number 20957 of the collection, and the 170th best-known meme of its 243 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Original Character Do Not Steal” meme mean?
The meme highlights the funny contradiction between claiming absolute creative ownership and producing an obvious clone of an established pop culture figure. Online communities deploy it ironically when presenting minimal edits, shoddy drawings, or direct copies. By aggressively demanding that nobody copy a work that is already copied, the phrase exposes unoriginality through deadpan humor.
Where does the “Original Character Do Not Steal” meme come from?
Initially, the statement served as a genuine plea by online illustrators to safeguard their intellectual creations. Its comedic transformation surfaced on DeviantArt on March 18, 2008, when user Kurobon uploaded a Sonic the Hedgehog fan art spoof labeled with the phrase, though the anonymous creator who first used it sarcastically remains unidentified. The Sonic fandom heavily fueled the trope by making fun of lazy palette swaps. Later on, momentum grew further on December 3, 2011, when YouTuber Ukinojoe released the video Blonic, showcasing a derivative blue hedgehog branded with the famous warning.
- March 18, 2008DeviantArt user Kurobon uploads a parody fan art featuring the ironic catchphrase.
- December 3, 2011Ukinojoe publishes the parody animation Blonic on YouTube.
How to use the “Original Character Do Not Steal” meme
- Posting a basic color tweak of a popular game hero while jokingly demanding full copyright.
- Calling out an obvious copycat in an online forum with biting sarcasm.
- Sharing an intentionally bad doodle as a self-aware joke among artists.
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The “Original Character Do Not Steal” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 20957 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 70 |
| Fame | 76/100 · #170 of 243 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Original Character Do Not Steal” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Original Character Do Not Steal comes out of the Memes World series 70 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Original Character Do Not Steal”
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Frequently asked questions
What does Original Character Do Not Steal mean?
It is an ironic slogan placed on unoriginal or heavily derivative artwork to mock creators who pass off copies as brand-new characters.
Where did Original Character Do Not Steal come from?
It started on DeviantArt, where serious copyright disclaimers were turned into a running joke, first tracked to a parody post in March 2008.
Why is the phrase associated with Sonic?
The Sonic community was known for numerous amateur recolors, making it the primary target for jokes using this disclaimer.
How do I get the Original Character Do Not Steal meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Original Character Do Not Steal” is an epic card of the Memes World series 70. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Original Character Do Not Steal card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Another Announcement | Original Character Do Not Steal · Original Character Do Not Steal: Meme Origin & History · Original Character Do Not Steal | Know Your Meme · checked on October 11, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.