Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained immense popularity in the digital art, collectibles, and entertainment industries, primarily due to their ability to offer unique ownership of digital assets on blockchain technology. One of the key features that sets NFTs apart from traditional digital assets is the ability to encode royalties directly into their smart contracts. These royalties ensure that creators continue to receive a percentage of the proceeds when their NFTs are resold, fostering a sustainable revenue model for content creators and artists.

Here's how NFT royalties are typically coded into smart contracts:

1. Smart Contract Standard: Most NFTs are created based on established standards like ERC-721 or ERC-1155 in the Ethereum blockchain. These standards define the structure and behavior of NFT smart contracts, including the ability to include royalty mechanisms.

2. Royalty Percentage: Creators specify the royalty percentage they want to receive when their NFT is resold. This percentage can vary from contract to contract but is often set between 5% and 10%. The chosen percentage is coded into the smart contract.

3. Transfer Function: Within the smart contract, there is a transfer function that triggers when an NFT is sold or transferred to a new owner. This function calculates and deducts the royalty amount from the sale proceeds based on the specified percentage.

4. Payment Distribution: Once the royalty amount is calculated, it is automatically distributed to the creator's wallet address. This distribution process is automated, ensuring that creators receive their royalties without the need for manual intervention or negotiation.

5. Secondary Sales: NFT royalties apply not only to the initial sale but also to subsequent secondary sales of the NFT. The smart contract keeps track of the ownership history, and royalties are distributed to the original creator every time the NFT changes hands on the blockchain.

6. Interoperability: Some NFT marketplaces and platforms have adopted these royalty standards, making it easier for creators to receive royalties consistently when their NFTs are bought and sold across different platforms.

7. Customization: Creators and developers have some flexibility in how they implement royalties. They can choose to adjust royalty percentages or create more complex royalty structures, such as tiered royalties based on the number of resales.

NFT royalties coded into smart contracts provide a fair and transparent way for creators to benefit from the growing value of their digital assets. It not only incentivizes more creators to participate in the NFT space but also ensures that artists and content creators continue to be rewarded for their work long after the initial sale. This innovative feature has the potential to revolutionize the way digital content is valued and monetized in the digital age.