Unchained

How a16z’s New NFT Licenses Hope to Solve Rights Problems for Creators and Buyers - Ep. 391

Sep 2, 2022

Miles Jennings, General Counsel at a16z crypto, dives into the firm's innovative "can’t be evil" NFT licenses. He explains how these licenses tackle essential rights issues in the NFT space, offering clarity for creators and buyers. Jennings discusses the five key rights provided by these licenses and how they aim to curb hate speech concerns. He also outlines why past attempts at standardizing NFT licenses failed and shares optimism about the future success of these transformative measures.

36:54

Creator website

Episode guests

Miles Jennings

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

Navigating CCO Licensing in NFTs

7min

Navigating Sub-Licensing Rights in the NFT Market

4min

Navigating the Controversy of Hate Speech in NFT Licensing

2min

Innovative NFT Licensing Explained

6min

Navigating Crypto Challenges

12min

Miles Jennings, general counsel at a16z crypto, talks about its new “can’t be evil” NFT licenses and how they help to solve many problems within the NFT industry. Show highlights:

what “can’t be evil” NFT licenses are and what problems they solve
what can these licenses achieve for content creators
which are the five rights that the licenses address
whether the NFT licenses help resolve hate speech issues for creators
why a16z described its licenses as “can’t be evil”
how these licenses will be enforced
how anyone buying NFTs should now be able to understand what they are buying
why previous attempts to create standardized NFT license didn’t succeed
why Miles thinks these new NFT licenses are going to succeed

Thank you to our sponsors!

1inch: https://1inch.io/

Crypto.com: https://crypto.onelink.me/J9Lg/unconfirmedcardearnfeb2021

Messari: https://mainnet.events/

Guest Miles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/milesjennings

“Can’t be evil” NFT licenses:

a16z article: https://a16zcrypto.com/introducing-nft-licenses/
Miles’ thread: https://twitter.com/milesjennings/status/1564991860824674305?s=20&t=pJEE9HfA9DnC_9PlsGelEw
Wiki article: https://www.nftstandards.wtf/NFT/NFT+License

Previous coverage on Unchained:

What legal rights NFTs come with: https://unchainedpodcast.com/what-exactly-do-you-get-when-you-buy-an-nft-three-lawyers-discuss/
Understanding intellectual property rights with NFTs: https://unchainedpodcast.com/excited-about-your-bored-ape-or-crypto-punk-make-sure-you-understand-your-ip-rights/
Punk 6529 on how rights helped Bored Apes succeed: https://unchainedpodcast.com/punk6529-on-the-significance-of-bored-ape-yacht-club-and-cryptopunks/

IP issues around prominent NFT collections:

Galaxy Digital report on NFT owners being misled about rights: https://decrypt.co/107827/bored-apes-moonbirds-misled-buyers-nft-ip-rights-galaxy-digita
CryptoPunks gets IP rights: https://decrypt.co/107184/as-cryptopunks-nft-owners-get-commercial-rights-yuga-hopes-to-secure-their-legacy-as-artwork
Bored Apes’ more permissive license helps it become more valuable than Crypto Punks: https://www.thedefiant.io/bored-apes-yacht-club-cryptopunks-copyright-fight
Moonbirds controversy ignites after move to CC0 license: https://www.thedefiant.io/moonbirds-cc0-license-nfts

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