NFTs
‘Metabirkin’ NFTs head to Stockholm museum
It’s been quite a journey in the ‘MetaBirkin’ NFT case situation. It all started in 2022 when Hermes sent a cease and desist letter to Mason Rothschildthe artist behind ‘MetaBirkins’ NFTs. So in February 2023, the jury ruled in favor of the French luxury brand in the case Hermès v. Mason Rothschild, who found the artist liable for trademark infringement on the signature Hermès bag. Although the case has already been concluded, the ‘MetaBirkin’ NFTs are now heading to the Stockholm museum.
Point of debate, last March it was announced that a US District Judge for the Southern District of New York denied a request for NFTs to be displayed at the museum. A ruling by Judge Jed S. Rakoff cited that it was unclear whether displaying the NFTs would not violate the terms of the injunction. But now things have changed. Rakoff has reversed his decision and is allowing ‘MetaBirkin’ NFTs to be displayed at the Spritmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden, as long as Rothschild and the museum disclose the outcome of the case to visitors. Specifically, noting that the artist’s NFTs have confused the public about any affiliation with Hermès.
The museum plans to include the digital artworks as part of the exhibition “Andy Warhol: A Portrait of Commerce,” curated by Blake Gopnik.