Main conclusions

  • An NFT screenshot may look the same as the original, but they are not the same thing.

  • Taking a screenshot of an NFT does not mean you own the NFT or have access to additional features that the original NFT provides.

The trend for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has penetrated many industries such as art, sports and gaming. There are a lot of newcomers joining this space, so some people unfamiliar with the technology may assume that an NFT screenshot is the same as the original.

NFTs are most often used in digital art. They have brought new ways to create, collect and use digital collectibles. With the NFT Beeple - EVERYDAYS: THE FIRST 5000 DAYS selling for a record $69.3 million at Christie's, as well as NFT collections from sports legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, the number of digital art creators and collectors is growing every day.

Many newcomers to the NFT space have certain misconceptions about how these assets work. For example, some believe that an NFT screenshot is equivalent to the original. After all, collectibles and NFT paintings are available on the Internet for everyone, so it’s easy to take a screenshot and pass it off as an original piece, right?

In fact, this is not true. The screenshot is an NFT and cannot have the same value as the original. Next we will tell you why.

Difference between original NFT and screenshot

An NFT is a cryptographic token stored on a blockchain that represents a unique digital asset. Each token contains unique identifiers and metadata that distinguish it from any other digital asset. NFTs can be used to register and prove ownership of digital and tokenized versions of real-life items, allowing people to prove ownership of something that anyone can easily copy digitally.

Anyone can take a photograph of the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, but it is not the same as owning the original painting.

It's the same with NFTs. By taking a screenshot of an NFT, you won't own the work itself—you'll only own the image file on your computer or smartphone.

Moreover, many NFTs are not just collectibles and works of art, but also have additional properties. Of course, you can take a screenshot of the NFT, but this will not give you access to the smart contract underlying the asset. For example, a Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) holder can get early access to new NFT drops, exclusive merch, and clubs in the community. All these privileges are automatically secured on the blockchain.

Smart contracts used to issue NFTs can also serve as transparent proof of ownership: if the token is listed on a public blockchain, information about it is visible to anyone. Thanks to smart contract functionality, NFT creators can determine what rights will be transferred to the next owner once their NFT is sold. This is another feature that screenshots lack.

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Possible consequences of NFT screenshots

Although anyone can easily view NFTs online, they are still considered intellectual property (IP) owned by their creators. As a result, general copyright laws and ownership rules prevent their misuse. Saving a copy of an NFT on your computer or phone for personal use is not against the law, as long as you don't resell the screenshot or pass it off as your own work.

However, if you take a screenshot of an NFT and try to sell it or use the IP associated with it in any way, you could be sued for copyright infringement and face other criminal charges such as fraud or theft.

Conclusion

Are there differences between an NFT and a screenshot of it? Definitely yes. For example, a property document is not just a piece of paper. Likewise, an NFT is not just a digital image.

Of course, you can make a copy of the original document and it will look almost identical, but the copy has no legal force. An NFT can also be considered a document of ownership.

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To learn more, check out the following articles:

  • (Support) How to start using the Binance NFT Marketplace

  • (Blog) Meet the updated Binance NFT marketplace

  • (Blog) NFTs: How to Best Showcase Your Collection

  • (Blog) What is NFT Metadata

  • (Academy) Top 7 Uses for NFTs

Denial of responsibility. Trading NFTs is unregulated and involves high market risk. Make transactions with caution. No compensation is provided. By participating in this activity, you understand and agree that you assume all risks associated with it. Any information on the Binance NFT Marketplace should not be considered or interpreted as recommendations or advice.