Kai Cenat Takes Legal Action to Protect Streamer University Amid Imitators

Streamer University just went from chaotic content playground to potential courtroom battleground. Twitch star Kai Cenat, dubbed the “most powerful streamer in hip-hop” by Complex, says he’s pursuing legal action to protect the idea of Streamer University—after waves of imitators started trying to copy the concept. And no, this isn’t another “Sad Beige Lawsuit.” The key difference? Kai’s not claiming someone stole his content—he’s trying to secure the brand before it becomes a streaming empire others can exploit.

The debate around whether he can even do that is heating up online. One viral X user put it bluntly: “He can own the name, but he can’t own the idea.” And legally, that’s correct. According to UpCounsel and Copyright.gov, you can trademark names and branding—but not the actual concept or format. Still, the move has fans split, especially as controversy continues to swirl around the original event’s mix of wild parties, pranks, and creator drama. But before we unpack the legal stuff, here’s a quick refresher on what Streamer University actually is.

Launched in May at the University of Akron, Streamer University was Kai’s real-world bootcamp for up-and-coming creators. More than 150 streamers were selected from over a million applicants to attend the three-day event—packed with workshops like “Internet Beef 101” and “The Art of Partnerships.” Playswave called it a “wild social experiment” where “chaos became content,” but Kai’s long game seems to be legitimacy. He turned down deals with Netflix and Amazon to keep the vision independent, and with MrBeast reportedly making $100 million from Beast Games, it’s no surprise Kai’s trying to secure his slice of the creator economy.