Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations

Since 2021, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been a popular topic which has kindled the interest of art and technology enthusiasts and professionals. Some had very high expectations for the potential of NFTs, and in some cases, made an assessment for NFTs that go beyond the existing limits of NFTs. T...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Zeynep Ekinci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-09-01
Series:Arts
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/5/192
_version_ 1797574793834266624
author Zeynep Ekinci
author_facet Zeynep Ekinci
author_sort Zeynep Ekinci
collection DOAJ
description Since 2021, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been a popular topic which has kindled the interest of art and technology enthusiasts and professionals. Some had very high expectations for the potential of NFTs, and in some cases, made an assessment for NFTs that go beyond the existing limits of NFTs. There have also been others who approached NFTs suspiciously and in some cases, described them as a hoax. The purpose of this study is to examine the important effects of NFTs on the art world and art law, and to consider NFTs’ current and potential impacts. In this context, this article first provides an introduction to NFTs and why the author finds it interesting to think about legal issues surrounding NFTs. After providing definitions of non-fungible tokens and highlighting technical aspects of NFTs, the article then discusses select legal issues surrounding NFTs, such as the importance of legal terms and conditions of an NFT purchase, legal qualifications of NFTs, artwork ownership, artwork authenticity, artwork provenance and intermediary liability for NFT sales. One of the aims of this study is to put forward clearly what should be expected of non-fungible tokens and their potential. Another objective is to underline the fact that the unique dynamics of the art world necessitate having a unique perspective for legal matters relating to them, which is satisfied with art law and its professionals. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to having a more comprehensive understanding of non-fungible tokens and their impact on the art world and surrounding legal questions.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T21:27:10Z
format Article
id doaj.art-2373a75a5f2e4eceac8241f7dda19dcf
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2076-0752
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T21:27:10Z
publishDate 2023-09-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Arts
spelling doaj.art-2373a75a5f2e4eceac8241f7dda19dcf2023-11-19T15:34:49ZengMDPI AGArts2076-07522023-09-0112519210.3390/arts12050192Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law ConsiderationsZeynep Ekinci0Independent Researcher, 34349 İstanbul, TurkeySince 2021, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been a popular topic which has kindled the interest of art and technology enthusiasts and professionals. Some had very high expectations for the potential of NFTs, and in some cases, made an assessment for NFTs that go beyond the existing limits of NFTs. There have also been others who approached NFTs suspiciously and in some cases, described them as a hoax. The purpose of this study is to examine the important effects of NFTs on the art world and art law, and to consider NFTs’ current and potential impacts. In this context, this article first provides an introduction to NFTs and why the author finds it interesting to think about legal issues surrounding NFTs. After providing definitions of non-fungible tokens and highlighting technical aspects of NFTs, the article then discusses select legal issues surrounding NFTs, such as the importance of legal terms and conditions of an NFT purchase, legal qualifications of NFTs, artwork ownership, artwork authenticity, artwork provenance and intermediary liability for NFT sales. One of the aims of this study is to put forward clearly what should be expected of non-fungible tokens and their potential. Another objective is to underline the fact that the unique dynamics of the art world necessitate having a unique perspective for legal matters relating to them, which is satisfied with art law and its professionals. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to having a more comprehensive understanding of non-fungible tokens and their impact on the art world and surrounding legal questions.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/5/192art lawcrypto assetsnon-fungible tokensblockchaincontracts lawproperty
spellingShingle Zeynep Ekinci
Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
Arts
art law
crypto assets
non-fungible tokens
blockchain
contracts law
property
title Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
title_full Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
title_fullStr Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
title_full_unstemmed Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
title_short Non-Fungible Tokens and Select Art Law Considerations
title_sort non fungible tokens and select art law considerations
topic art law
crypto assets
non-fungible tokens
blockchain
contracts law
property
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/12/5/192
work_keys_str_mv AT zeynepekinci nonfungibletokensandselectartlawconsiderations