📜 Licensing Models: CC0, Full Rights, Personal Use
Compare different NFT licensing approaches and their implications
Navigate the complex legal landscape of NFTs
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0 / 5 completed📜 NFT License Models: The Spectrum
NFT licenses range from CC0 (public domain) to All Rights Reserved (zero commercial rights). Most successful projects fall in between. Understanding these models is critical—they determine whether you can build a business, create derivatives, or simply use the art as a profile picture.
CC0 (Creative Commons Zero)
Public Domain Dedication
Creator waives all rights. Anyone can use the art commercially, create derivatives, with zero attribution required. Maximum flexibility.
✅ Benefits
Complete freedom, viral potential, strong community remixing
❌ Drawbacks
No control, anyone can copy, harder to maintain exclusivity
Examples: Nouns, mfers, Blitmap
Full Commercial Rights
Exclusive License to Holder
Holder receives exclusive commercial rights to their specific NFT. Can create products, license to brands, monetize freely. This is the BAYC model.
✅ Benefits
Holder empowerment, business opportunities, strong value
❌ Drawbacks
Risk of brand dilution, enforcement challenges
Examples: Bored Apes, Doodles, Azuki
Limited Commercial License
Capped Revenue or Use Cases
Commercial use allowed but with restrictions: revenue caps (e.g., $100k/year), specific use cases, or approval required for large projects.
✅ Benefits
Balanced approach, quality control maintained
❌ Drawbacks
Limits frustrate successful projects, complexity
Examples: Art Blocks ($100k cap), Moonbirds
Personal Use Only
No Commercial Rights
Holder can display the NFT personally but cannot commercialize. All copyright remains with creator. Original CryptoPunks model (pre-2022).
✅ Benefits
Full creator control, brand integrity
❌ Drawbacks
Lower holder value, limited ecosystem growth
Examples: Traditional art NFTs, some 1/1 pieces
🛠️ Interactive: License Builder
Toggle the switches below to build your ideal license. See how different combinations create different license types and what they allow.
Commercial Use
Can holders monetize?
Derivative Works
Can holders modify art?
Attribution Required
Must credit creator?
Sublicensing
Can license to others?
Custom License
Generated License Type
✅ You Can:
- • Sell merchandise & products
- • Create adaptations & modifications
- • Use without crediting creator
❌ You Cannot:
- • Grant rights to others
💡 Key Insight
Most successful NFT projects use either CC0 (Nouns) or Full Commercial Rights (BAYC) to maximize holder value. Middle-ground licenses (limited commercial, personal use) create friction—holders want freedom, creators want control. The market has shown clear preference: full freedom or full restriction both work. Complicated middle-ground licenses confuse buyers and limit growth.