In today’s digital-first world, protecting artistic work online is no longer optional — it’s essential. As artists and illustrators increasingly publish and monetize their creations in digital form, the risk of unauthorized use and copyright infringement grows. That’s where the MARMALADE project steps in — combining blockchain, digital watermarking, and education to give creators the tools they need to defend their work.
With Nextrope as a key technical partner, MARMALADE is helping shape a secure, sustainable digital space for creators across the EU and beyond.
What is MARMALADE?
MARMALADE (sMARt Methods aimed at Art LArceny DEfence) is a European Union–funded project that builds on the legacy of CoNFiTure, an earlier initiative that launched a dedicated NFT marketplace for comic artists. MARMALADE expands this vision by:
- Adding browser-based copyright protection tools (like screenshot blocking),
- Introducing visual watermarking directly on the CoNFiTure platform,
- Offering free online training (MOOC) on digital rights and NFT usage,
- Promoting sustainable practices with low-energy blockchain infrastructure.
How Nextrope Supports the Project
At Nextrope, we’ve developed the core technology that powers the digital protection layer of MARMALADE. This includes:
- A screenshot-blocking mechanism embedded into the browser interface,
- Full integration with the existing CoNFiTure NFT marketplace.
Our goal is to ensure that creators can safely showcase, share, and sell their work without fear of theft or misuse — using the transparency and permanence that blockchain technology for creators enables.
Empowering Through Education
All educational materials are in English, with subtitles in many European languages. Throughout these courses, artists will gain a comprehensive set of skills:
- How to mint and monetize their art as NFTs,
- What legal protections exist in the Web3 space,
Why It Matters
Digital artists deserve to control their work. By combining practical tools with educational outreach, MARMALADE is helping creators reclaim their rights in the age of AI, screenshots, and endless replication. This is a blueprint for ethical technology in the creative industry, and we’re proud to be part of it.
