Reinventing Moonbirds: A New Vision Takes Flight
Moonbirds, a prominent player in the NFT space, is embarking on an exciting transformation that promises to redefine the boundaries of digital art and virtual interaction. This transformation is led by Colin Hesterly, an award-winning artist and director known for his work on Mythics. Hesterly’s appointment as creative director signals a shift towards a more structured and commercially viable art direction for Moonbirds, moving away from the original Creative Commons Zero (CC0) approach.
From open source to proprietary: the shift in Moonbirds’ IP strategy
Originally, Moonbirds followed a CC0 policy, which allowed anyone to use, copy, modify and distribute the artwork for free. However, the team recently announced that new Moonbirds art would be protected under traditional intellectual property (IP) laws, which would require ownership of a Moonbird in order to use the art for commercial purposes. This shift is aimed at increasing the value of owning a Moonbird, giving collectors not just a work of art, but a stake in a growing digital universe.
The Moonbirds Universe: More than just digital art
The evolution of Moonbirds is not limited to changes in IP rights. The project introduces new art direction and 3D avatars, designed for animation and integration into digital domains such as the Otherside. Additionally, a new digital space called Volaria is being developed where Moonbirds owners can gather, interact and immerse themselves in the evolving Moonbirds story. This integration of art, technology and community aims to create a more engaging and interactive experience for users.
Real world connections and future prospects
In addition to digital improvements, Moonbirds focuses on real-world integrations. There are plans for physical events and special gatherings, such as a satellite event alongside Apefest 2024 in Lisbon. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds and bring the community together in new and exciting ways.
Comments from the community and creators
Community reaction to these changes has been mixed. While some applaud the new direction for increasing the potential of their holdings and aligning with collectors’ interests, others are skeptical, especially about the reversal of CC0 status. Critics argue that the foundational CC0 artwork remains free for public use, and that the transition to IP-protected art could complicate the legacy and usability of the original pieces.
Critics of the Moonbirds’ recent move from CC0 to IP-protected artwork have raised major concerns and highlighted the confusion and skepticism surrounding the changes. Notable voices in the community such as Taylor.WTF And LeonidasNFT, have expressed doubts about the legal feasibility of reversing the CC0 decision. Taylor.WTF pointed out the irreversible nature of CC0 and questioned the clarity of the shift: “I’m pretty sure naming something CC0 is irreversible. You waive any rights. Am I confused?” Likewise, LeonidasNFT clarified the permanence of the original CC0 status, suggesting that while the old art remains free for public use, the new direction involves creating new art with IP restrictions: “The original Moonbirds art is forever CC0. But ‘we are going to introduce a new art direction’ means that they will try to switch everyone to new art that does have IP restrictions.”
Further, Cap criticized the strategic direction of Moonbirds’ management company and drew parallels with past projects that promised much but delivered little. His comment paints a picture of a company repeating past mistakes, potentially diluting the value of another prominent project, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC): “Literal comedy from a company that sold hundreds of millions a few years ago dollars of virtual land sold to build another ‘universe’ that has not yet come true. This time with IP that the company doesn’t even own, since it’s CC0. Dilutive to BAYC and already stretched scarce resources.
Thoughts about @moonvogels:
1. People said you can’t reverse CC0.
I said, “Yes, you can. Just give Moonbirds new art with new commercial rights.”@Proof_xyz announced today that they are doing just that.
2. No one messed up the Moonbird Mythics.
It was executed perfectly, from the hitting to… pic.twitter.com/t13SE5ZiQ1
— Pixlit 😲 (@HeyPixlit) April 29, 2024
Conclusion
Moonbirds is charting a bold new course, aiming to increase the value and utility of their NFTs through creative leadership, expanded IP rights, and a stronger focus on community. While challenges remain, especially in navigating the transition from a CC0 framework, the potential for a richer and more vibrant Moonbirds universe is clear. As the project continues to develop, it will be fascinating to see how these changes impact the broader NFT landscape.
TLDR: Moonbirds is transforming under a new creative direction with a shift from CC0 to IP-protected art, introducing 3D avatars and building a digital home in Volaria, aiming to increase collector value and community engagement.