Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Court rules NFT images of furry Birkin bags violated trademark legislation

by February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023
Court rules NFT images of furry Birkin bags violated trademark legislation

An artist who made and sold digital images of Birkin handbags covered in fur violated trademark rights, a Manhattan court has concluded.

The fashion giant Hermes, which owns the luxury brand, sued Mason Rothschild after he created non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, based on the famous bags.

Hermes said consumers would believe the products were officially associated with the brand.

The landmark case sets a precedent for other trials around NFTs.

The jury awarded Hermes $133,000 (£110,000) in damages, rejecting Mr Rothschild’s argument that his products, which he began selling in 2021, were works of art commenting on the market for luxury goods and should be protected by laws governing free speech.

A lawyer representing Mr Rothschild said it was a “terrible day for artists and the First Amendment”.

There has been a flurry of interest in NFTs over the last few years. The digital tokens are unique products that are verified using blockchain technology. While most sell for around a hundred dollars, they can be worth millions.

In the physical world a Birkin leather handbag also commands a high price – tens of thousands of dollars depending on the version.

Mr Rothschild produced a series of images of the famous bag calling them “MetaBirkins”. One was covered in shaggy green fur. There was a version based on Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” painting, and an animation of a foetus growing inside a transparent Birkin handbag – a play on the brand’s smaller model of its bag known as the “baby Birkin”.

The artist claimed his works were in the same vein as Andy Warhol’s reproductions of Campbell soup cans.

But the jury decided they should be seen as consumer products and were therefore covered by trademark law.

Hermes said Mr Rothschild was a “digital speculator” who created his images of the bag as a “get rich quick” scheme. It said over $1m (£828,000) worth of MetaBirkins had been sold since December 2021.

The fashion house said it had plans to issue NFTs itself, which were constrained by Mr Rothschild’s actions.

The court’s decision will be closely watched by other brands seeking to clarify trademark rules around NFTs.

Read more:
Court rules NFT images of furry Birkin bags violated trademark legislation

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, state lawmakers to support measures protecting abortion rights
next post
7 Secrets to mindful living for students

You may also like

The Pandemic Business Grants Scandal: A Door Left...

September 6, 2023

Ultra-high energy bills are here to stay

August 2, 2022

6 Important Franchising Tips From the Business Experts

December 19, 2022

Talks to avert new train strikes close to...

March 6, 2023

Liverpool hotels cancel Eurovision bookings as rates hit...

October 10, 2022

PPE Medpro delivers scathing closing in DHSC case,...

July 8, 2025

Simply Asset Finance Secures £120m Loan Facility from...

June 28, 2024

Jeremy Hunt to announce new mini-budget measures in...

October 17, 2022

Embracing the pivot: a growing trend on the...

March 29, 2024

Trump media company shares soar after attempted assassination

July 16, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Republican senator claims RFK Jr. mRNA vaccine decision undermines Trump agenda

      August 7, 2025
    • Who is Anita Dunn? The Biden confidante who clashed with Hunter grilled in House autopen probe

      August 7, 2025
    • Case v. Montana Brief: Limit Loopholes to the Fourth Amendment

      August 7, 2025
    • Trump opens $9tn US retirement market to crypto in landmark executive order

      August 7, 2025
    • What Should We Learn from China’s Nuclear Construction Costs?

      August 7, 2025
    • Closing the Primary Care Gap

      August 7, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,704)
    • Investing (2,182)
    • Politics (16,333)
    • Stocks (3,228)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved