The Flappy Bird Foundation has attempted to clarify how it ended up with the rights the 2014 viral hit – and has also pointed out how “strikingly similar” Dong Nguyen’s creation is to a 2009 Facebook game made by French dev ‘Kek’, who is part of the 2024 revival.
After a week of skepticism online around the game’s return, The Flappy Bird Foundation has insisted its intentions are merely to “return Flappy Bird to the community” in a statement posted to Telegram and X.
As we reported previously, Flappy Bird returned earlier this week via a Telegram-only teaser game, with a full relaunch to follow on multiple platforms. But the creator of the 2014 hit Dong Nguyen has distanced himself from the project, and eyebrows have been raised at the crypto integration and F2P mechanics added into the Telegram game.
In the new statement posted yesterday, The Flappy Bird Foundation is keen to point out that Flappy Bird bears ‘striking similarities’ to 2009 Facebook game Piou Piou vs. Cactus, developed by French creator ‘Kek’, who is a “core founding member of the Flappy Bird Foundation”.
“We noted the similarities between the game Kek first published in 2009, and Flappy Bird, which was published in 2013,” said The Flappy Bird Foundation’s statement. “The gameplay, level design, and the main character all appear strikingly similar.”
“Kek has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Flappy Bird Foundation and our plans to build on the legacy of his game and Flappy Bird,” the statement continues. “So much so that he has decided to trust the Foundation with the exclusive rights to Piou Piou vs Cactus.”
In a quote that appears to be from Kek himself, the statement continued: “I love that through the Flappy Bird Foundation we are able to breathe new life into the games I built and inspired. It’s incredible to work alongside such a dedicated team of fans and creators who are truly passionate.”
The Flappy Bird Foundation also moved to clear up speculation about how the brand came into its ownership. After the trademark and brand was abandoned following the game’s removal from app stores, the US Patent and Trademark Office later granted it to Mobile Media Partners Inc in 2018. It was then acquired by Gametech Holdings LLC in 2021, and was sold to The Flappy Bird Foundation in August 2024.
The Foundation concluded: “Placing the ownership of both the Flappy Bird trademark and the rights to Piou Piou vs Cactus with the Foundation was the final step in our preparation to return Flappy Bird to the community.”
We’ve contacted Kek, The Flappy Bird Foundation and other parties associated with the new game for further comment and will update this story if they respond.
