Spice DAO and Its $3 Million Acquisition

Late on a Saturday, the crypto world saw a new twist in its tale when Spice DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization, unveiled its plans for an unpublished manuscript linked to the legendary Dune saga. After spending a staggering 2.66 million euros (approximately $3 million), the group boasts of owning this special document, which is tied to Frank Herbert and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s unfinished film project.

The Community Roadmap: Excitement or Overreach?

In a tweet that felt like both a proclamation and a clarion call, Spice DAO outlined its mission: to make the book public, create an original animated series inspired by the manuscript, and invite community creativity through derivative projects. Sounds thrilling, right? Well, there’s a catch—or rather, several of them.

The Copyright Catastrophe

It’s essential to remember that owning a physical copy does not equate to owning the rights to turn those pages into cash. In the U.S. and the EU, copyright laws are like the party guests who refuse to leave; they stick around for the life of the last co-creator plus an additional 70 years. So, while Jean Giraud and H.R. Giger may have shuffled off this mortal coil, Jodorowsky—at the spritely age of 92—is still living it up, which means the rights remain firmly in his grasp.

Twitter’s Witty Response

As one might expect, the Internet chimed in with its usual flair. User @TheNinjaWhippet hurled his sarcasm into the fray by revealing the existence of a free online version of the manuscript that has been accessible since 2011. His tweet quickly accumulated over 3,500 likes, proving once again that free finds always steal the show. Who knew copyright could facilitate so much comedic gold?

Into the Great Unknown

So where does this leave Spice DAO? Under normal copyright guidelines, the organization either needs to wait for a cozy 70 years after Jodorowsky’s last breath (we wish him long and happy days, by the way) or humble itself and seek his permission. Additionally, the resale value of the physical manuscript remains murky—auctions thrive on appraisals, and appraisals require actual copyright clarity. As things stand, Spice DAO’s treasury consists of about 1,236.12 ETH, valued at roughly $4 million. But will that be enough to navigate this rights labyrinth? Time will tell.