Artists and NFTs?

Are NFTs a scam?

Firstly, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are not necessarily a scam, but like any investment, it's essential to conduct research and understand what you're investing in before making a decision.

NFTs are digital tokens that represent unique assets such as artwork or digital collectibles. They have gained popularity in recent years due to the rapid growth of the cryptocurrency market and the underlying blockchain technology. There have been cases of fraud related to NFTs, so caution is advised when investing in this area.

Furthermore, the dropshipping community has done a lot of damage to the reputation of NFTs. Whenever there is a lot of money involved, you can be sure that many scammers will appear. Is the technology bad because of this? No, and that's what we'll see in this article.

In short, despite these frauds, NFTs are a means for buyers to support their favorite artists or content creators.

Are NFTs revolutionary?

They can be considered revolutionary in the sense that they represent a new way of storing and transferring digital assets with high standards of security. They allow users to independently and safely own unique digital assets without the risk of duplication or falsification.

This can have significant implications for industries such as online art, video games, and virtual goods collecting. It should be noted that NFTs are not yet widely used, and it is still too early to say if they will have a truly revolutionary impact on these industries.

However, regarding video games, players spend billions of dollars each year on simple skins that they cannot resell! Some players in the industry are taking the leap - or have already done so - some for several years now. From a player's point of view, skins or collectible cards (like God of Unchained, an online equivalent of Magic The Gathering) in the form of NFTs that they can resell presents an undeniable and potentially revolutionary advantage compared to the "classic" model where large corporations sell designs at a high price that cannot be exchanged or resold. Some analysts predict the incorporation of NFTs into 90% of games within a few years.

What interest can NFTs have for artists?

They can be particularly interesting for artists because of the unique and independent nature of the assets they represent. This can allow them to sell digital art more easily and securely, which can help them generate additional income.

In addition, NFTs can also offer artists greater flexibility in how they sell and distribute their work, as well as better control over how their work is used and perceived.

Finally, NFTs can also help artists establish proof of ownership and authenticity for their work, which can strengthen their reputation and value in the market. It should be added that NFTs are often criticized for their speculative side, but is this really new compared to the world of academic art?

The community aspect

Many people who are fundamentally against NFTs are unaware of, or neglect, this aspect, although very positive. The enthusiasm around a collection or a particular artist allows for great emulation, and direct contact between artists and collectors. Although you need to be familiar with modern tools and platforms (mainly X and Discord), stay up to date with new developments and have a geeky side, this is a huge opportunity for artists of all kinds. make their work known and secure additional income in an environment that has never been easy.

What does the law say about NFTs regarding copyright?

Copyright is an exclusive right granted to original content creators to protect their work. Copyright law applies to NFTs, which are digital tokens used to represent unique digital assets such as photos, videos, music, drawings, and other forms of original content.

Generally, copyright law protects original content creators by granting them the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform their work, as well as the right to create derivative works from their work. If someone wishes to use the work of an original content creator, they must obtain the creator's permission and may be required to pay them royalties.

Regarding NFTs, copyright law applies in the same way. If someone wants to use original content in the form of an NFT, they must obtain permission from the creator and may be required to pay them royalties. However, copyright law can vary from country to country, so it is important to research the laws in your own country before using or selling NFTs.

What are some NFT platforms?

There are many platforms that allow users to create, buy, and sell NFTs. Some of the most popular ones include OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare, Nifty Gateway... These platforms allow users to create and sell NFTs, as well as browse the collections of different artists and collectors.

Each platform has its own rules and features, so it's important to research each one before deciding which to use. Additionally, some platforms may be more suited for certain forms of content than others, so it's up to you to choose the platform that best fits your needs.

My personal opinion

I have been following this ecosystem and its news for a very long time. For me, it is simply a new way for digital or traditional graphic designers to get paid, in a world where our professions constantly tend to be devalued, and our prices constantly discussed or questioned.

I am not "pro" or "anti" NFT, I am for being paid according to the work I do, and according to the professional rates in force in our professions, and that's it, no more, no less, and I would therefore not ignore the new opportunities offered by this sector.

In addition, my target audience in general is absolutely not an audience that would not be aware of the value of my work, quite the contrary, my goal is, and always will be to sell what I do to art lovers, professionals or individuals who have both the means and the awareness of the work done.

I therefore do not consider myself an "NFT artist" as some like to call themselves and for me this term means absolutely nothing. Either you are a pure and simple "artist" or you are not, and even this too vague term - "artist" - is a term that I do not particularly like, as the fringe of very distinct professions that this term designates is too vague.

So to conclude, I am rather someone who believes in individual entrepreneurship, with a certain graphic talent and passionate about drawing but also pixel art and generative art!