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Fashion United
26-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Digital art also has legal limits: Mango condemned for rights infringement in NFTs
The Provincial Court of Barcelona issued an unprecedented ruling in the Spanish legal landscape, condemning the fashion group Mango (Punto Fa, S.L.) for the unauthorised exploitation of works of art in digital format. The ruling, issued by Section 15, specialising in commercial matters, established for the first time in Spain the infringement of copyright in the context of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and virtual environments such as the metaverse. The case, brought by the management entity VEGAP (Visual Entidad de Gestión de Artistas Plásticos) on behalf of the heirs of Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, and Miquel Barceló, arose from a marketing campaign that accompanied the opening of a Mango store in New York in 2022. In summary The Provincial Court of Barcelona condemned Mango for exploiting digitised artworks without authorisation in NFTs and the metaverse. The ruling sets a legal precedent in Spain, protecting copyright in virtual environments and NFTs. Mango must cease the illicit activity, destroy the NFTs, and pay compensation of 750,380.21 euros, although it plans to appeal the decision. In May 2022, Mango celebrated the opening of its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York with an ambitious digital campaign. The brand exhibited five original works by Spanish artists — Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, and Miquel Barceló — in the physical store, belonging to the private collection of Isak Andic, founder of the company. Beyond the physical exhibition, Mango took the works to a new digital dimension by transforming them into animated compositions and converting them into NFTs. These pieces were disseminated through various platforms, including the OpenSea marketplace and the Decentraland virtual universe, and were also promoted on social networks such as Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Owning painting does not give right to digitally exploit or modify it The digitisation and dissemination of these works without the express consent of their authors or heirs led to the complaint by VEGAP, the entity that represents the rights holders. In its lawsuit, VEGAP alleged the infringement of several rights protected by the Intellectual Property Law: reproduction, transformation, public communication, integrity of the work, and right of dissemination. The argument held that physically owning a painting does not imply having the right to exploit it digitally or to modify it. According to the lawsuit, the use of these works as part of a marketing strategy without prior license not only violated economic rights but also 'damaged the image and cultural legacy of the authors'. The entity claimed the immediate withdrawal of the NFTs and any digital reproduction, the publication of a public rectification, and compensation in excess of 1.3 million euros for economic and moral damages. Initial ruling in favour of Mango In January 2024, the Commercial Court number nine of Barcelona dismissed VEGAP's claim. The first instance judgment acquitted Mango, which argued that it had acted in good faith and without profit. The defence maintained that its initiative sought to enrich the public experience, promote culture, and pay tribute to the authors, all in the absence of clear regulations on NFTs in the Spanish context. Mango even invoked an interpretation similar to the Anglo-Saxon concept of 'fair use'. However, VEGAP appealed and, after months of litigation, Section 15 of the Provincial Court upheld the appeal in its judgment, and the court overturned the initial ruling, condemning Mango for copyright infringement, both economic and moral. The ruling ordered the immediate cessation of the illicit activity and the destruction of all NFTs and physical or digital materials derived from the altered works. It also obliged Mango to publish the content of the ruling on its website and social networks, as a way of publicly acknowledging that it acted without the artists' authorisation. Regarding compensation, the resolution set a total amount of 750,380.21 euros. Precedent in uncharted territory Although Mango has announced that it will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, the ruling already represents a turning point in Spanish legal system. It is the first time that an infringement of copyright has been recognised in the context of NFTs and the metaverse. Mango insists that its actions were never for profit or intended to commercially exploit the works. They also allege that, until that time, there were no legal precedents or specific regulations clarifying the legal limits of the use of digitised art as NFTs. For VEGAP, however, the ruling is a resounding victory. Its director general, Javier Gutiérrez, called the ruling 'historic' in extending legal protection for visual artists to the virtual environment. He stressed that this resolution reinforces the principle that copyright continues to apply even when technologies are new and disruptive. The Mango case leaves a clear lesson for the industry: although the legal framework continues to evolve, the rights of authors — their recognition, integrity, and fair remuneration — remain as fundamental pillars, also in the metaverse. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Been to Barcelona? Now try Spain's lesser-known cities
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). With Spain receiving record-breaking numbers of international visitors in the past two years — up to 94 million last year — it pays to hunt out its quiet corners. And there are plenty of areas where travellers have yet to claim a stake. While major Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville justifiably receive millions of visitors a year, the country is packed with dozens of disarmingly beautiful and fascinating smaller centres that can get overlooked. Many of these have equally exciting gastronomy scenes, thriving arts cultures and curious historical treasures worth exploring — and you'll get to experience them with far fewer crowds. Best for: the food sceneIf Madrid's fabled cocktail of architecture, gastronomy and nightlife appeals, Salamanca in the neighbouring Castilla y León region makes a tempting alternative. Easily reached by train from Madrid in just 1.5 hours, this long-established university city reportedly has one of the highest ratios of tapas bars to people in Spain. It's also home to one of the country's most spectacular squares, the baroque Plaza Mayor, which is lined with bar-terrace tables and buzzing in the evening. Explore Salamanca's 800-year-old university, with its elaborately carved facade, and the city's two adjoined cathedrals. The oldest, Catedral Vieja, is mostly Romanesque, while the other is a later mix of gothic and renaissance style. Then dive into the world of Castilian dishes and wines, perhaps at Tapas 3.0 or Cuzco Bodega. Best for: a UNESCO-listed old townThe capital of Spain until 1561, Toledo is a popular day-trip destination from Madrid. Cáceres, on the other hand, requires a little more effort to reach and receives far fewer visitors — but the reward is its Ciudad Monumental, a hauntingly beautiful walled old town that's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. A three-hour train journey from Madrid into the Extremadura region immerses you in this stone-built maze whose roots date back to the Romans. Today it's best known for its noble gothic-renaissance buildings, but also retains lofty watchtowers and other relics from its time under medieval Islamic rule. This is a city with serious art credentials too: the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Helga de Alvear houses pieces by Francisco de Goya, Antoni Tàpies and Ai Weiwei. Best for: Basque bar crawlsQuieter yet equally as interesting as its extrovert sibling San Sebastián, just over an hour's drive to the north, Vitoria-Gasteiz is the Basque Country's often-overlooked capital. Though it's off the coastal path, the city is home to superb food and architecture and receives far fewer tourists. The steep, narrow streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz's medieval Old Town are lined with prize-winning pintxos bars that compete to create the most tantalising, innovative culinary creations. Elsewhere you'll find gothic cathedrals and belle époque villas as well as grand, leafy boulevards and a clutch of museums. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also one of Spain's most sustainable cities, with pedestrianised streets, eco-friendly hotels and restaurants and a 'green ring' of leafy spaces circling the city. Best for: Andalucian atmosphereWhile Seville has risen to become one of Spain's most popular city breaks, its little brother Granada remains mostly known for its UNESCO-designated Alhambra palace and fortress. But there's far more to this intimate city, which echoes Seville's Moorish monuments, fiery flamenco and terrific tapas scene, yet has its own lively twist. Stay a few days to roam the sloping Albaicín district, where locals and visitors gather on broad terraces to catch views across terracotta rooftops to the Alhambra, backed by the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. Just behind the Catedral de Granada, the Mercado de San Agustín has counters overflowing with fresh produce, such as jamón from Trevélez in the Alpujarras hills. In neighbouring Realejo, the historical Jewish quarter, people spill out of busy bars and restaurants like Candela, Taberna La Tana or Cisco y Tierra. Best for: galleries & beach cultureSunny Málaga has firmly put itself on Spain's flourishing art map in the last decade or so — and not just as the birthplace of Picasso. The pedestrianised historic centre rewards gallery-hopping itineraries taking in highlights such as the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, crammed with Spanish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Stroll over to the revamped Soho district to catch street art by both Malagueño and international artists, or wander through the lush Parque de Málaga to the local offshoot of the Paris-born Centre Pompidou. Nearby, Malagueta beach has great swimming off its silver-tinged sandy strand and a string of chiringuitos (beach restaurants) cooking espetos (fish skewers, traditionally made with sardines) on open-air grills. Throw in a flourishing tapas culture, a wave of stylish rooftop bars and Mercado de Atarazanas — one of southern Spain's finest markets — for a genuine rival to crowded Barcelona. Best for: Moorish architectureThe entrancing Mezquita of Córdoba deservedly bags a top spot on any Andalucia itinerary, but there are other Moorish legacies worthy of travellers' attentions. Now with a growing number of direct flights from the UK, coastal Almería has its own story to tell about this key chapter of Spain's past. Often overlooked by international visitors, the city was a major Islamic-era port, as still shown by the grand, sand-hued Alcazaba (fortress) looming above its whitewashed homes. The building dates to the 11th century and has palm-filled gardens with trickling fountains and pools reminiscent of Granada's Alhambra. Spend the rest of your time wandering through the medieval old town and squeezing into tapas bars for local specialities such asmigas (flour or breadcrumbs fried with garlic and perhaps anchovies or chorizo) or Alpujarras cheese. Also on Almería's doorstep are the peaceful, sun-toasted beaches of the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
23-05-2025
- National Geographic
Been to Barcelona? Now try Spain's lesser-known cities
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). With Spain receiving record-breaking numbers of international visitors in the past two years — up to 94 million last year — it pays to hunt out its quiet corners. And there are plenty of areas where travellers have yet to claim a stake. While major Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville justifiably receive millions of visitors a year, the country is packed with dozens of disarmingly beautiful and fascinating smaller centres that can get overlooked. Many of these have equally exciting gastronomy scenes, thriving arts cultures and curious historical treasures worth exploring — and you'll get to experience them with far fewer crowds. Swap Madrid for Salamanca Best for: the food scene If Madrid's fabled cocktail of architecture, gastronomy and nightlife appeals, Salamanca in the neighbouring Castilla y León region makes a tempting alternative. Easily reached by train from Madrid in just 1.5 hours, this long-established university city reportedly has one of the highest ratios of tapas bars to people in Spain. It's also home to one of the country's most spectacular squares, the baroque Plaza Mayor, which is lined with bar-terrace tables and buzzing in the evening. Explore Salamanca's 800-year-old university, with its elaborately carved facade, and the city's two adjoined cathedrals. The oldest, Catedral Vieja, is mostly Romanesque, while the other is a later mix of gothic and renaissance style. Then dive into the world of Castilian dishes and wines, perhaps at Tapas 3.0 or Cuzco Bodega. Swap Toledo for Cáceres Best for: a UNESCO-listed old town The capital of Spain until 1561, Toledo is a popular day-trip destination from Madrid. Cáceres, on the other hand, requires a little more effort to reach and receives far fewer visitors — but the reward is its Ciudad Monumental, a hauntingly beautiful walled old town that's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. A three-hour train journey from Madrid into the Extremadura region immerses you in this stone-built maze whose roots date back to the Romans. Today it's best known for its noble gothic-renaissance buildings, but also retains lofty watchtowers and other relics from its time under medieval Islamic rule. This is a city with serious art credentials too: the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Helga de Alvear houses pieces by Francisco de Goya, Antoni Tàpies and Ai Weiwei. Swap San Sebastián for Vitoria-Gasteiz Best for: Basque bar crawls Quieter yet equally as interesting as its extrovert sibling San Sebastián, just over an hour's drive to the north, Vitoria-Gasteiz is the Basque Country's often-overlooked capital. Though it's off the coastal path, the city is home to superb food and architecture and receives far fewer tourists. The steep, narrow streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz's medieval Old Town are lined with prize-winning pintxos bars that compete to create the most tantalising, innovative culinary creations. Elsewhere you'll find gothic cathedrals and belle époque villas as well as grand, leafy boulevards and a clutch of museums. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also one of Spain's most sustainable cities, with pedestrianised streets, eco-friendly hotels and restaurants and a 'green ring' of leafy spaces circling the city. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Helga de Alvear in Cáceres houses pieces by Francisco de Goya, Antoni Tàpies and Ai Weiwei. Photograph by Museo Helga de Alvear Swap Seville for Granada Best for: Andalucian atmosphere While Seville has risen to become one of Spain's most popular city breaks, its little brother Granada remains mostly known for its UNESCO-designated Alhambra palace and fortress. But there's far more to this intimate city, which echoes Seville's Moorish monuments, fiery flamenco and terrific tapas scene, yet has its own lively twist. Stay a few days to roam the sloping Albaicín district, where locals and visitors gather on broad terraces to catch views across terracotta rooftops to the Alhambra, backed by the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains. Just behind the Catedral de Granada, the Mercado de San Agustín has counters overflowing with fresh produce, such as jamón from Trevélez in the Alpujarras hills. In neighbouring Realejo, the historical Jewish quarter, people spill out of busy bars and restaurants like Candela, Taberna La Tana or Cisco y Tierra. Swap Barcelona for Málaga Best for: galleries & beach culture Sunny Málaga has firmly put itself on Spain's flourishing art map in the last decade or so — and not just as the birthplace of Picasso. The pedestrianised historic centre rewards gallery-hopping itineraries taking in highlights such as the Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga, crammed with Spanish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Stroll over to the revamped Soho district to catch street art by both Malagueño and international artists, or wander through the lush Parque de Málaga to the local offshoot of the Paris-born Centre Pompidou. Nearby, Malagueta beach has great swimming off its silver-tinged sandy strand and a string of chiringuitos (beach restaurants) cooking espetos (fish skewers, traditionally made with sardines) on open-air grills. Throw in a flourishing tapas culture, a wave of stylish rooftop bars and Mercado de Atarazanas — one of southern Spain's finest markets — for a genuine rival to crowded Barcelona. Swap Córdoba for Almería Best for: Moorish architecture The entrancing Mezquita of Córdoba deservedly bags a top spot on any Andalucia itinerary, but there are other Moorish legacies worthy of travellers' attentions. Now with a growing number of direct flights from the UK, coastal Almería has its own story to tell about this key chapter of Spain's past. Often overlooked by international visitors, the city was a major Islamic-era port, as still shown by the grand, sand-hued Alcazaba (fortress) looming above its whitewashed homes. The building dates to the 11th century and has palm-filled gardens with trickling fountains and pools reminiscent of Granada's Alhambra. Spend the rest of your time wandering through the medieval old town and squeezing into tapas bars for local specialities such asmigas (flour or breadcrumbs fried with garlic and perhaps anchovies or chorizo) or Alpujarras cheese. Also on Almería's doorstep are the peaceful, sun-toasted beaches of the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Níjar. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
