The F in NFT stands for fungible, meaning, replaceable.
Since it’s non fungible, it’s not replaceable. For instance, your clothes are replaceable, but the Mona Lisa isn’t, because it’s the original.
So these NFTs are “originals” and the token is effectively referring to your ownership of the NFT.
Only an owner receives the associated benefits, so only if you buy it are you an owner.
You could still print the picture without being an owner and it would still be a pretty picture, but since you’re not the owner, you won’t have the benefits.