Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs-and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Herm s to part with one of these precious bags. Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Herm s scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Herm s, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin For more than twenty years, the Herm s Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth.Much like how the music industry stared down the barrel in the face of file sharing in the mid-2000s and movie theatres fight the effects of streaming platforms today, every major brand will have to come up with protective measures in a world where IP is King. All consumer businesses will have to prepare for the legal implications of their IPs being used for all sorts of purposes that they may not have authorised or accepted. Refiling trademark licences to account for NFT-based products is only an introductory step for brands to protect their IPs. Much like how major brands, particularly in the luxury sector, have made their peace with internet celebrities and influencers and found a way to incorporate them into brand and advertising campaigns, a larger reframing is necessary for the 'Metabirkins' of the world for whom the floodgates have been opened. However, this is merely the tipping point.

The outcome of this case will be instructive as we see courts grapple with a decentralised marketplace. Hermès views the profiting off of retouched digital images of its high-end handbags less charitably. The Hermès bags merely form the canvas for his artistic expression. Rothschild argues that his use of the Birkin is no different from Andy Warhol's use of Campbell soup cans. While the case is currently ongoing, there is no denying that this is one of the first examples of growing metaverse-based disputes. He was swiftly sued by Hermès for violation of their intellectual property. Rothschild created fuzzy digital NFTs of Birkin bags, christening them 'Metabirkins', and proceeded to sell them on decentralised marketplaces. A fascinating case going through the New York courts is one involving digital artist, Mason Rothschild, and über-luxury brand, Hermès.

Bringing home a birkin