DC Comics Warns Freelancers Not to Participate in NFT Auctions Featuring the Company’s IP
DC Comics, the American comic book publisher may be getting into the non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystem in the future. The company is the oldest comic book publisher in the U.S. owning characters such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. In a letter dated on March 11, 2021, DC Comics’ senior VP of legal affairs wrote a letter to freelancers that said “DC is exploring opportunities” to enter the NFT market economy.
‘DC Is Exploring Opportunities for the Distribution and Sale of Original DC Digital Art With NFTs’
A letter from DC Comics has been revealed from a report stemming from Gizmodo i09’s Rob Bricken that shows the American comic book publisher is exploring blockchain technology and more specifically non-fungible token (NFT) assets. The popular company also doesn’t want freelance artists auctioning NFT’s featuring DC Comics’ intellectual property (IP).
NFT technology has gotten so popular that the trend or search term “NFT” has touched the highest point it can on Google Trends statistical data. The letter authored by DC Comics’ senior VP of legal affairs Jay Kogan is a direct communication to freelance artists and it seemingly warns them not to create DC Comics-owned characters via NFTs.
“Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are becoming the newest fan collectibles and have generated significant press and buzz in the digital space,” the letter from Kogan explains. “DC is exploring opportunities to enter the market for the distribution and sale of original DC digital art with NFTs including both new art created specifically for the NFT market, as well as original digital art rendered for DC’s comic book publications.”
The letter adds:
As DC examines the complexities of the NFT marketplace, and we work on a reasonable and fair solution for all parties involved, including fans and collectors, please note that the offering for sale of any digital images featuring DC’s intellectual property with or without NFTs, whether rendered for DC’s publications or rendered outside the scope of one’s contractual engagement with DC, is not permitted.
DC Staffers and Freelancers Should Contact DC Comics’ Talent Services First Before Engaging in NFTs Featuring Licensed DC Material
The letter may be a direct warning to DC staffers and freelancers that have already issued non-fungible token (NFT) assets with DC images or any artist for that matter. Days before Gizmodo i09’s editorial, comic book artist José Delgo sold a Wonder Woman-themed NFT collection via Makersplace. Delgo is well known for drawing Wonder Woman and other characters for DC comics over 30 years ago.
Kogan’s letter emphasizes that if any DC staffers or freelancers are approached about doing NFT art with DC characters in their work they have to let “Lawrence Ganem, DC’s VP, Talent Services know.”
“We expect the participation of DC’s freelance talent will be an integral component of the NFT program that DC puts into place,” the letter concludes. “We’ll share further information as it becomes available, and we appreciate your cooperation and partnership.”
What do you think about DC Comics’ warning letter to staffers and freelancers about NFTs? Let us know what you think about this subject in the comments section below.