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NFTs and Digital Ownership: What Do You Really Own?
J.Nightingale
15/01/2024
8 min read
NFTs
Digital Rights
Intellectual Property
Blockchain

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have captured public imagination as a new form of digital ownership. However, the legal reality of NFT ownership is more complex than many buyers realize.
When you purchase an NFT, you typically acquire:
- A unique token on a blockchain
- A license to use the associated digital asset
- Proof of authenticity and provenance
What you don't necessarily get:
- Copyright ownership of the underlying work
- Exclusive rights to the digital asset
- Protection against unauthorized copying
The legal framework around NFTs is still developing, with courts beginning to address disputes over ownership, licensing, and infringement. Recent cases have highlighted the importance of clear terms and conditions in NFT sales.
As the market matures, we can expect more sophisticated legal structures to emerge, providing greater clarity for both creators and collectors.
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