NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are digital assets that are unique and cannot be replaced by another asset of the same type. This makes them different from fungible assets, such as cryptocurrencies, which are interchangeable. NFTs have gained popularity in recent times due to their use in the digital art world, where they are used to authenticate and verify the ownership of digital artwork. However, the rise of NFTs has also raised questions about intellectual property rights and the need for a regulatory framework.

Intellectual property rights refer to the legal rights that protect creators' original works, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. In the case of NFTs, the issue of intellectual property rights is complicated by the fact that the underlying digital asset, such as a digital image or video, can be easily replicated and distributed. This raises questions about who owns the rights to the digital asset and how those rights can be protected.

One way to address this issue is to release the digital assets under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, which waives all copyright and related rights to the work worldwide. This means that digital assets can be used, modified, and distributed without permission or attribution. However, while this approach allows for greater flexibility and access to digital assets, it also means that the creator loses control over how the assets are used and cannot monetize them.

So what is this CC0?

By definition according to creativecommons.org:

CC0 enables artists and owners of copyright- or database-protected content to waive those interests in their works and thereby place them as completely as possible in the public domain, so that others may freely build upon, enhance and reuse the works for any purposes without restriction under copyright or database law.

So basically it means "no rights reserved".

Generally, when an artist creates something the artist, as a creator, owns the rights. Thanks to CC0, the creators are able to waive all of their legal & commercial rights on the creation.

What is the point of this?

Most of the time, rescinding the legal rights of an NFT collection is preferred by the artists to honor and respect the values of the internet and web3. Also, most of the time CC0 is intended to make it easier for creators to share their work and for others to use it in new and innovative ways. Additionally, by dedicating their work to the public domain, creators can make it easier for others to use and build upon their work, which can lead to new and innovative creations.

So, purchasing an NFT or a digital art piece does not necessarily mean that you are able to benefit from its commercial rights of it. Whether it's an NFT or art piece, make sure that you read the Terms and Conditions, and it's not CC0 unless you are fine with waiving the rights.

Legal framework

It's important to note that CC0 is not a substitute for copyright, it's a way to release work from the copyright and related rights. CC0 does not affect moral rights, rights of publicity, or trademark rights. Additionally, CC0 does not protect the creator from any third-party claim of infringement of their rights.

Another important aspect to consider is that CC0 is a one-way street, once a work is dedicated to the public domain, it can never be withdrawn. This means that the creator loses control over how the work is used and cannot monetize it in the future. Additionally, while CC0 is recognized in many countries, it's not recognized universally, meaning that in some countries, the work may not be protected by the public domain status.

Conclusion

Digital ownership has always been a very interesting debate subject and now this debate will revolve around the CC0 and the NFTs. Creators should be aware of the legal implications of CC0 and make sure they understand the rights they are giving up before dedicating their work to the public domain.

I hope this article has provided some valuable insights into the topic of CC0. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. If you have any questions or comments about the information presented here, please feel free to reach out to me via my Twitter address https://twitter.com/yigitm44.

Yigit.

Speaking of CC0, let me finish this article with one of the Moonbirds NFTs. In the end, I can now use it for any kind of purpose, right?