Virtual goods and NFTs—IP protection of digital assets in gaming, social media and the metaverse

Table of contents

• The pioneering role of the gaming industry
• EUIPO's response to the Metaverse
• Securing trade mark protection of virtual assets

Article summary

IP analysis: Digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) being all the rage, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is increasingly receiving trade mark applications covering virtual goods and NFTs, the regulatory classification of which is one of the many new questions posed in the digital age where reality is increasingly mirrored by, and interwoven with, virtual reality. Anthonia Ghalamkarizadeh, Counsel, and Dr Andreas Renck, partner, at Hogan Lovells take a look at virtual goods and NFTs in the gaming industry and metaverse settings, and their appropriate IP protection, as exemplified by the latest EUIPO guidance.