Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the blockchain
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 3 November 2022.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently Fourteenth Report - NFTs and the Blockchain: the risks to sport and culture on 11 October 2023.
The government's response
Published 12 January 2024. The deadline was 11 January 2024.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government responds to the Committee's NFT report by setting out existing protections and ongoing work, declining a new code of conduct and the requested Article 17 analysis, while committing to engage with NFT marketplaces.
- On a code of conduct for online marketplaces, the Government "does not intend to introduce" one, saying stakeholder engagement showed "a code was not needed at that time" and that it is "not aware of any evidence" to change this for NFT marketplaces.
- On analysis of Article 17 of the Digital Single Market Directive, the Government is "unable to conduct this analysis at present" as "more time is required". It will engage with NFT marketplaces, which "will help to inform any future, potential policy approach".
- On fan tokens, the Government says they will not form part of the Independent Football Regulator's assessment of fan engagement, which will review "the structures in place for consulting a representative group of supporters".
- On misleading NFT advertising, the Government "will introduce a new regulatory framework" to combat scam and fraudulent advertising, including advertising relating to NFTs, requiring in-scope organisations in the advertising supply chain to have "proportionate systems and processes" in place.
Recommendations and conclusions
- 1: Introduce a code of conduct for online marketplaces protecting creators from infringing material.Recommendation
- 2: Publish analysis of Article 17 implementation and equivalent international copyright approaches by year-end.Recommendation
- 3: Exclude fan tokens from all measurements of fan engagement in professional sports regulation.Recommendation
Reports
- Fourteenth Report - NFTs and the Blockchain: the risks to sport and culture11 October 2023 · 4 items
Evidence
- 1 oral evidence sessionLatest 18 April 2023
- 5 witnesses
Recent activity
- Fourth Special Report - NFTs and the Blockchain: the risks to sport and culture: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourteenth Report of Session 2022–2312 January 2024, Report published
- Fourteenth Report - NFTs and the Blockchain: the risks to sport and culture11 October 2023, Report published
- Letter from Emily Gould, Assistant Director, Institute of Art and Law, relating to the oral evidence session on 18 April 2023, dated 21 April 202316 May 2023, Correspondence
Recommendations and conclusions 4 shown
2: Publish analysis of Article 17 implementation and equivalent international copyright approaches by year-end.
Recommended (the committee's words)3: Exclude fan tokens from all measurements of fan engagement in professional sports regulation.
Recommended (the committee's words)4: Mandate the Ministerial taskforce to explicitly review misleading and fraudulent NFT and cryptoasset advertising.
Recommended (the committee's words)Reports
Fourteenth Report - NFTs and the Blockchain: the risks to sport and culture
- HC No.
- HC 598
- Published
- 11 Oct 2023
- Items
- 4
- Government response
- Government response published 12 January 2024 (deadline 11 January 2024). Read the government's response ↗
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 2023 |
Oral evidence session
Angus Scott · Artclear Ltd,
Emily Gould · Institute of Art and Law,
Joey D’Urso · The Athletic UK,
Kieran Maguire · University of Liverpool,
Reema Selhi · Design and Artists Copyright Society
|
View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Angus Scott · Chief Executive | Artclear Ltd | 1 |
| Emily Gould · Assistant Director | Institute of Art and Law | 1 |
| Joey D’Urso | The Athletic UK | 1 |
| Kieran Maguire | University of Liverpool | 1 |
| Reema Selhi · Head of Policy and International | Design and Artists Copyright Society | 1 |
Correspondence
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| Published | Direction | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 16 May 2023 | To committee | Letter from Emily Gould, Assistant Director, Institute of Art and Law, relating to the oral evidence session on 18 April 2023, dated 21 April 2023 |