ABSTRACT. This research looks at using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in public archives. NFTs are special digital items stored on blockchain. They can protect government records, like land deeds and old documents. The study wants to see how NFTs can make records more authentic and transparent. It also looks at challenges like ownership, copyright, and digital sovereignty. A survey of 50 people shows most believe NFTs can improve record traceability and data security. Many think blockchain keeps data safe for a long time. However, a lot of people say India’s copyright laws are weak for NFTs. This could lead to fights over who owns digital records. Many people know a little about NFTs, but not enough. This means more education is needed. Most respondents think NFTs can help governments control their data better. But some worry global blockchains might reduce this control. Trust in the government to handle blockchain systems is not strong for everyone. People also disagree on whether NFT-tagged records should have limited access for security. Some want open access, while others prefer safety. The literature review shows NFTs can help archives but have problems. Legal rules are unclear, costs are high, and not everyone can access digital systems. This study is important because it focuses on public archives, which few studies do. It suggests governments need better laws and policies. They should also teach people about NFTs and make systems fair. NFTs could make archives modern and secure, but governments must fix challenges to gain trust and make them work well.

Keywords: NFTs; public archives; blockchain; ownership; copyright; digital sovereignty, government records

How to cite: Tudosă, P., Zvarikova, K., Ciurlău, C. F., & Dumitrescu, C.-O. (2023). “NFTs in Public Archives: Ownership, Copyright, and Digital Sovereignty in Government Records,” Smart Governance 2(1): 38–51. doi: 10.22381/sg2120233.

Received 14 January 2023 • Received in revised form 21 March 2023
Accepted 23 March 2023 • Available online 28 March 2023