Digital collectibles in mainland China will enjoy copyright protection only after a review, National Press and Publication Administration blockchain copyright director Liu Tianjian said.

See related article: China’s diktat against NFT flipping spawns an ingenious industry

Fast facts

• “Digital collectibles” is a phrase used in China to avoid reference to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) due to state media denouncing speculative activities surrounding NFTs.
• Digital collectibles “must align with the country’s core values,” Liu said in an article published by the People’s Daily’s NFT gallery on Thursday.
• Digital collectibles include art, music, animation, games, film, television and other original creative works, and don’t enjoy protection under law unless they have been reviewed and approved, Liu said. 

• Liu said Chinese digital collectibles on secondary markets can fall on the “red line” of financialization. 

• People’s Daily recently published an opinion article that supported the efficiency of NFTs in digital marketing, cultural content and creative industries.

See related article: China-run media outlet criticizes NFT platform as a payment risk