The NFTs have often featured images of the Premier League trophy
The Premier League is considering taking legal action against a set of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) being promoted by former footballers for the use of the Premier League trophy in the images.
An NFT is a digital asset stored as part of the blockchain and traded in the form of cryptocurrency and has proved particularly popular in the USA and now is beginning to make waves in the Premier League.
Several current and former Premier League footballers have promoted the use of NFTs – John Terry being the most prominent, with the images in question featuring cartoons of baby apes sitting alongside the Premier League and other trophies.
Terry, 41, is currently a part of the Chelsea academy working in a consultancy role, but has been actively seen on social media promoting the ‘Ape Kids Club’.
https://twitter.com/JohnTerry26/status/1484133963916615682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1484133963916615682%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Ffootball%2F2022%2F01%2F26%2Fpremier-league-could-take-legal-action-nfts-promoted-john-terry%2F
The former Chelsea captain isn’t the only one, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Nigel de Jong and current players like Reece Jame and Neymar tweeting their ownership of NFTs.
I just acquired MAYC #10442 from my guy @ishmilly @BoredApeYC 🚀
Where are my apes at? #mutantapes #mayc pic.twitter.com/LQSQywNOCO— Reece James (@ReeceJames) January 2, 2022
As per The Telegraph, the Premier League trophy is protected by its trademark and anybody wishing to use it in any commercial opportunity must seek a licence with the league.
Clubs in the Premier League have reservations around the use of NFTs after the league revealed they have looked into the possibility of launching their own NFT collection, but have yet to make a final decision.
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