NFT Art Auctions Have A Piracy Problem

Artists are seeing their work sold by strangers on NFT sites without their consent — and there's no easy way to stop it from happening.

They're stirring up Hollywood controversies; they're reinventing the sports trading card market; they're resurrecting ancient memes for profit. The blockchain-based collectibles known as NFTs are showing up everywhere right now, especially in the marketplace for digital art. Creators who tie their work to an NFT can sell the token off for a sometimes sizable profit. But as the NFT gold rush grows, so too does the incentive for piracy.  More and more artists are finding their work has been made into NFTs without their consent — and there are no clear safeguards to stop it from happening.