Can You Screenshot NFT Art? (Implications Fully Explained!)
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Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have been all the rage lately, with media outlets reporting on the massive sales of digital artwork and memorabilia that are being bought, sold, and collected in the form of unique tokens.
But can you screenshot an NFT?
In this article, I will attempt to answer that question and provide full insight into why it matters!
Curious? Read on to find out more!
What Is an NFT?
An NFT is a type of digital asset or record that is stored on a blockchain. It’s called “non-fungible” because each token has its own unique characteristics, making it different from other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.
This means that if you buy an NFT for a piece of art, no one else can possess it except for you—it’s yours and yours alone!
Can You Screenshot an NFT?
The short answer is yes—you can screenshot an NFT. However, there are some important points to consider when doing so.
First off, ownership of NFTs is the same concept as ownership of highly-valued art pieces. An NFT screenshot can be equivalent to only a picture taken of the Mona Lisa. This cannot compare to the actual physical assets of the physical art pieces.
This means that owning an NFT is inherently valuable, so owning a digital image of an NFT screenshot does not have the same value as actually owning the NFT as proof on the blockchain.
NFTs transparent and trackable ownership through transactions on the blockchain.
Secondly, while taking a screenshot of your NFT art may seem like a great way to show off or share your purchase with friends, keep in mind that this does not create any legal protection for you as the owner.
In other words, anyone could take your screenshot and potentially use it as their own digital art or claim ownership over it without any recourse from you.
As such, it’s highly recommended that you keep your proof-of-ownership documents (for example, the receipt provided by the seller) in addition to any screenshots you take as evidence of your purchase.
In some cases, sellers may also offer certificates of authenticity which can help prove your ownership if needed.
In addition to these considerations regarding proof-of-ownership documents, keep in mind that if you’re planning on selling or trading your NFT at some point down the line, a screenshot won’t do much good; buyers will likely require more comprehensive proof before handing over funds for their purchase.
For example, they may want to see the actual transaction hash associated with your sale/purchase which would involve looking up records on the blockchain itself—something a simple screenshot can’t provide them with.
Many people think that screenshotting the digital image of an NFT is the same as screenshotting an NFT, but this isn’t true. Taking a screenshot of the PFP (profile picture) of an NFT will only provide you with a copy of the image itself, not the token associated with it.
Because NFTs are smart contracts that are based on a blockchain, screenshotting the digital art piece won’t do much good without the unique cryptographic signature of the token.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, screenshotting an NFT is possible but it doesn’t offer much in terms of legal protection or ease-of-usage when it comes to trading or selling your token.
For this reason, it’s advised to keep proof-of-ownership documents such as receipts and/or certificates of authenticity in addition to any NFT screenshots you might take for additional safety.
Why Would People Want to Screenshot an NFT?
Screenshots of NFTs are a popular way to show off your purchase and brag about the digital assets you own. While there may not be any legal value to a screenshot, it’s still a great way to let people know that you’re part of this new crypto revolution!
In addition, screenshots can be shared online across various social media platforms which can help spread the word about what NFTs are and how to get involved in this exciting space.
Twitter is known for being able to integrate NFTs PFPs into their user’s profiles, so there may not be a need to screenshot!
However, on social media platforms like Instagram, where there is no such integration yet, screenshotting your NFTs can come in handy for displaying your artwork and showing off your purchases.
How Do You Screenshot an NFT?
To screenshot an NFT, simply go to the page where your asset is stored. For example, if it’s on a marketplace like OpenSea or Rarible, go there and click “View Asset Details”.
Once you’re on the asset details page, press the “Print Screen” button on your keyboard or use a screenshot app to capture the page.
Windows: “Windows Key” + “Shift” + “S” to bring up the snipping tool
macOS: Shift + Command + 4 to bring up the screenshot tool, which will be saved to screenshots on the desktop.
A screenshot of your NFT should now be saved in your computer’s clipboard or screenshot folder, ready for you to paste and share with friends!
Time to flex and share your new digital artworks of your NFTs with friends and family!
Are there any risks associated with screenshotting NFTs?
As mentioned earlier, screenshotting your NFT does not create any legal protection for you if you are the owner. If someone were to screenshot your screenshot and claim the asset was theirs, there is little recourse available to you.
In addition, if you’re planning on selling or trading your NFT at some point in the future, screenshots may not be enough for buyers. They are likely to ask for more concrete proof, such as a certificate of authenticity or a transaction hash.
So, while screenshotting an NFT can be fun and show off your purchase to the world, it’s important to remember that it does not give you any legal protection and may not be enough to prove ownership if you are looking to trade or sell your asset.
It’s always a good idea to keep any proof-of-ownership documents, such as the receipt from the seller and/or certificates of authenticity, in addition to screenshotting your NFT. That way, you can have all the necessary documentation in case you need it!
Can you share screenshots of NFTs with other people?
Yes, you can certainly share screenshots of NFTs with other people. This is a great way to show off the digital assets you own and introduce others to the world of crypto-collectibles.
Of course, it’s always important to remember that screenshotting an NFT does not give you any legal protection or proof of ownership, so you should consider obtaining additional documents (such as certificates of authenticity) if you want to protect your asset.
What are some of the best ways to use screenshots of NFTs?
There are many creative ways to use screenshots of your NFTs. Here are a few ideas:
- Share them on social media and use them as your profile picture! This is a great way to show off the artwork you own and introduce others to the world of NFTs.
- Print out your screenshot and frame it as a memento.
- Incorporate screenshot images into other artwork and create digital collages.
- Share screenshot GIFs of your NFTs with friends and family!
No matter how you choose to screenshot an NFT, it’s always important to remember that screenshotting doesn’t
necessarily provide any legal protection.
Can you share screenshots of NFTs with other people?
Yes, you can certainly share screenshots of NFTs with other people. This is a great way to show off the digital assets you own and introduce others to the world of crypto-collectibles.
Of course, it’s always important to remember that screenshotting an NFT does not give you any legal protection or proof of ownership.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, while you absolutely can take screenshots of your digital artwork/memorabilia in order to show off or share with friends online, keep in mind that this doesn’t provide any legal protection against potential copyright infringement or fraudsters looking to claim ownership over your work without due cause.
As such, it’s important that you retain all necessary documentation (such as receipts or certificates of authenticity) when making purchases online so that you have proof of ownership should anything ever come up!
A screenshot NFT can be a great way to share the artwork you love with friends and family, but make sure to take extra precautions in order to protect your valuable asset.
With this knowledge under your belt now go forth and enjoy collecting an actual NFT!
Justin Chia
Justin is the author of Justjooz and is a data analyst and AI expert. He is also a Nanyang Technological University (NTU) alumni, majoring in Biological Sciences.
He regularly posts AI and analytics content on LinkedIn, and writes a weekly newsletter, The Juicer, on AI, analytics, tech, and personal development.
To unwind, Justin enjoys gaming and reading.