AS THE GENERATIVE ABILITY OF AI FLOURISHES, HOW BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CAN ASSIST IN IP PROTECTION?

Blockchain and IP Registration

Blockchain is a technology that works like a super-secure digital ledger, recording every transaction transparently and securely. Here’s how it can help with registering trademarks and designs, and providing proof of creation for unregistered designs and copyrighted works:

When you create something new, like a design or an article, blockchain can record a unique digital fingerprint of it (called a hash). This hash doesn't store the actual content but proves it existed at a certain time and belongs to you. Each hash is stored in a block, and these blocks link together in a chain, making it impossible to alter past records without breaking the entire chain.

For IP offices, using blockchain means the registration process for trademarks and designs can be faster, cheaper, and more secure. It can also improve how they manage and verify rights, providing clear evidence of creation and ownership without revealing the actual content. This technology ensures that once something is recorded, it’s permanently and unchangeably documented, protecting intellectual property efficiently.

How Blockchain Can Improve Trademark and Design Registration in India

Blockchain technology can make registering designs and trademarks in India faster and more efficient. For example, if you need to show that a trademark has become distinctive through use, blockchain could help. By recording and sharing evidence of a trademark's actual use and frequency on a blockchain, this information would be easily accessible and transparent, saving time and money for trademark owners. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is already exploring how blockchain can be used in intellectual property management.

In India, trademark holders need to prove genuine use over time to keep their rights. Collecting this evidence can be expensive and time-consuming. Blockchain can help by recording a time stamp of when a trademark is first and subsequently used. This time-stamped evidence can be presented to courts or registries, reducing the need for extensive records and paperwork.

 Smart contracts on a blockchain can automatically record the use of a trademark, providing reliable proof of use. WIPO has launched WIPO PROOF, a digital service that certifies the existence of a digital file at a specific date and time, which can be used as evidence. This approach could significantly reduce costs and the risk of challenges to trademark registrations in India.

Blockchain and Unregistered IP: Simplifying Design Rights and Copyright

Blockchain can help create a digital record for unregistered IP rights like design rights and copyright. It shows when a work was created, manages rights information, and meets legal requirements. For this system to work well, it needs good planning. A blockchain registry would be useful if a trusted third party, like an IP office, is involved. Alternatively, rights holders themselves could use the system, allowing it to not only record but also handle IP transactions. The system becomes more valuable as more people use it.

WIPO PROOF: Ensuring Digital Trust

WIPO PROOF is a service that gives a time-stamped digital fingerprint of any file, proving it existed at a specific time. This supports the digital world where technology drives innovation. However, blockchain systems can only add information, not change it easily. If a mistake is made, fixing it requires proper technical processes.

Handling Copyright Off-Blockchain

Blockchain can significantly improve copyright management. Copyrights protect creative works like music, literature, and art, but proving ownership and creation date can be challenging. Blockchain establishes an enduring and immutable record of the creation and registration dates of a work. This feature aids creators in demonstrating both ownership and the date of creation, which is crucial for resolving copyright disputes.  It also helps track the use and distribution of copyrighted material, ensuring creators get fair compensation and reducing unauthorized use and piracy

Another challenge is handling copyright transfers outside the blockchain. For example, if you have a digital token for a book’s copyright, it’s important to record any changes accurately in the digital ledger. Without proper coordination, a blockchain system might complicate information management.

Transforming Patents with Blockchain

Blockchain can revolutionize patent management. Patents protect inventions, but obtaining and enforcing them is often difficult and costly. Blockchain technology can enhance patent management by creating a transparent record of the invention process, including development stages, filing dates, and changes in ownership. It can also help in the patent application process, establishing the inventor’s claim to the innovation. Additionally, it can track the use of patented technology, ensuring patent holders can enforce their rights and receive compensation.

Real-World Blockchain Applications in IP Management

Blockchain’s practical applications in IP management are already taking shape in various industries, offering innovative solutions to traditional challenges.

Case Study: NFTs in Digital Art

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are distinct digital assets authenticated through blockchain technology. Unlike traditional digital files, NFTs create scarcity and uniqueness for digital artworks. Artists can establish ownership of their digital creations, making it easier to sell and transfer these works while ensuring their originality and authenticity. NFTs also allow for automatic royalty payments whenever the NFT changes hands, ensuring artists continue to receive compensation for their work.

Case Study: Blockchain in Patent Registries

It provides a transparent and unchangeable ledger for recording patent applications and modifications. Inventors can securely submit their inventions, with every stage meticulously documented on the blockchain. This speeds up the patent registration process and provides a tamper-proof record of the invention’s history, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the patent system.

How Block chain help In Protecting Company IP in AI world?

When a company’s IP (like text, images, or data) is used to train an AI, this event can be recorded on the block chain. Once this usage is logged, it cannot be changed or deleted. This creates a reliable record showing that the company’s IP was used. This record serves as proof that the company’s IP was involved in training the AI, helping protect their rights.

For instance, a marketing firm has decades of valuable content like contracts, white papers, and presentations that it wants to use with an AI chatbot to generate client proposals and summaries. To protect its intellectual property, the firm converts each document into NFTs with embedded smart contracts and stores them on a blockchain. These smart contracts specify rules for using the content, such as requiring attribution or payment for reuse. When the AI chatbot accesses this content, it follows these rules, ensuring the firm’s IP is used correctly and preventing unauthorized access by competitors. This blockchain system provides a secure, transparent way to manage and protect the firm’s IP in the AI-driven world.

CONCLUSION

In a world where AI creates a lot of valuable data, blockchain technology helps protect company intellectual property (IP). Blockchain provides a clear and unchangeable record of who owns digital assets and when they were created, making it hard for others to steal or dispute these assets. It simplifies the process of managing and enforcing IP rights by making everything transparent and secure. This technology ensures that creators and innovators get fair payment for their work. As AI continues to produce more data and inventions, using blockchain to manage IP will be crucial for keeping these assets safe and trustworthy, leading to a more reliable and efficient digital economy.