NFTs in the UK: property, regulation, IP/licensing, AML, tax, consumer and advertising, data security, litigation and practical issues

Published by a LexisNexis TMT expert

Practice notes

Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, have surged into prominence in recent years. Sectors from art and gaming to finance and media have adopted them, with brands like Starbucks weaving NFTs into loyalty programmes to show real-world commercial utility and the scope to spread into other fields. They already power everything from event tickets to artworks and digital assets minted and resold in the ‘Metaverse’.

This Practice Note reviews the legal and regulatory challenges NFTs have encountered and could yet face, and addresses:

Understanding NFTs
Using NFTs
Dealing with NFTs
Intellectual property rights and NFTs
Licensing NFTs
Are NFTs regulated?
NFTs and money laundering
NFTs and tax
Consumer law and NFTs
Advertising regulation
Data security
NFTs in the court room
Key practical questions to be considered in any NFT project

Understanding NFTs

Real-world applications of NFTs

There is a constantly shifting roster of celebrated and notorious NFTs. Beeple’s ‘Everydays: The First 5000 Days’ drew global attention in February 2021 when it achieved a record sale price of US$69m...

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Rosie Burbidge

Howard Kennedy LLP

Rosie Burbidge is an English qualified lawyer specialising in intellectual property. Clients describe her as “efficient and effective at managing complex IP disputes. Rosie consistently provides clear, succinct and commercially minded advice.” Others note that Rosie stands out for her ‘exemplary customer service. Not only is Rosie technically excellent, but she is also strategic in her approach, incredibly knowledgeable and her billing is simply perfect.” Rosie and her team help clients to obtain and enforce their IP rights in the UK and internationally. She is particularly known for her work in relation to trade marks, passing off, copyright and designs and for her knowledge of the technology, retail and consumer goods sectors. Whether it is managing a trade mark portfolio or suing an infringer, Rosie will identify the optimum strategy to suit her client’s needs, timeline and appetite for risk. She gives clear,...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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