Tim Dickerson and DeArius Marlow, the creative minds behind the viral ‘Hawk Tuah’ video, have faced numerous obstacles in their quest to secure the rights to their internet sensation. The video, which stars Hailey Welch, now known as the Hawk Tuah girl, has catapulted her to fame and financial success, while the original creators are left fighting for recognition.

Hailey Welch’s rise to stardom has been meteoric, with endorsements from celebrities like country artist Zach Bryan and NBA All-Star Shaq. Her newfound fame has also been financially rewarding, earning her over $65,000 from a merchandise collaboration with Fatheads. Welch acknowledged her rapid ascent in a viral Instagram post, where she revealed that she had hired an attorney and a manager to help manage her burgeoning career.

@timanddeetv “YA GET ME” 😂 #foryou #viral #rizz #publicinterview #fypツ #xybca

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#6thstreet #nashville #reels #hawktuah #hawktuahgirl #funny #college #party #cmafest ♬ original sound – timanddeetv

However, the creators of the viral TikTok, ‘TimandDeeTV’, are determined to reclaim their piece of the pie. In an interview with the New York Times, Tim Dickerson and DeArius Marlow disclosed that they have already filed 50 copyright claims to secure the rights to the original video featuring Welch spitting on the ground while saying, “Hawk Tuah.”

The video’s explosive popularity led to widespread sharing, often with the ‘TimandDeeTV’ watermark removed. This forced Dickerson and Marlow to take legal action to assert their ownership of the content. Marlow emphasized that Welch’s viral fame would not have been possible without their initial interview at a bar scene in Nashville in June, during which Welch asked the duo to “spice up the questions,” leading to the infamous moment.

“At the end of the day, nobody would know who she was if we didn’t bring it to light and post it,” Marlow told the New York Times. He also expressed frustration over the misconception that their fame stemmed solely from the viral clip, noting that ‘TimandDeeTV’ had already established a platform prior to the video’s release.

Despite their efforts to secure recognition and possibly collaborate with Welch on future projects, Dickerson and Marlow have yet to hear back from her legal team. Marlow lamented that the audience’s perception of their success being tied to Welch’s video undermined their existing work and following.

The duo’s battle for rightful credit highlights the often complex and contentious nature of viral fame in the digital age. As Welch continues to navigate her newfound celebrity status with professional assistance, Dickerson and Marlow’s legal maneuvers underscore the importance of protecting creative ownership in an era where digital content can rapidly and unpredictably change lives.

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