The end of digital property

The recent contemplation of cyberpunk themes has been fueled by a combination of revisiting seminal works like *Neuromancer* and *Snow Crash*, alongside a growing recognition of unsettling parallels between dystopian narratives and contemporary societal trends. A notable omission from the genre’s exploration of future technologies is the Metaverse—a vast digital realm anticipated to dominate our daily interactions through virtual reality. While individuals currently engage with online platforms, the immersive virtual experience remains largely unrealized. Reflecting on the landscape of 2007, a pivotal year marked by the popularity of Second Life, MMORPGs, and the burgeoning social media scene, there was significant enthusiasm surrounding virtual property rights. This concept transcended intellectual property, focusing instead on tangible ownership of digital assets, such as virtual land and avatars, alongside the creation and exchange of digital items. The transition from analog to digital had begun long before, but the emphasis here is on assets existing solely in digital form, which, unlike physical goods, are easily replicated and distributed, complicating the notion of ownership. Digital property emerged as a paradox; while its replicability diminishes value, its convenience offers advantages over physical items. Initially, technological protection measures facilitated a semblance of ownership, enabling the transfer of digital works. However, the rise of subscription models transformed the landscape, shifting focus from ownership to access, thereby undermining the concept of personal digital property. The resurgence of interest in digital property came with the Web3 movement in 2021, driven by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, which promised genuine ownership of digital goods. However, the subsequent NFT boom, intended to establish verifiable ownership, faltered as the market revealed inherent limitations, demonstrating that mere ownership of a digital link does not equate to true possession, thereby challenging the viability of digital property in its current form.



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