![handle is hein.journals/nwteintp18 and id is 1 raw text is: Copyright 2020 by Sebastian Pech Volume 14, Number 1 (2020)
Northwestern Journal of Technology and Intellectual Property
COPYRIGHT UNCHAINED:
HOW BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CAN
CHANGE THE ADMINISTRATION AND
DISTRIBUTION OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
WORKS
Sebastian Pech*
ABSTRACT-Blockchain technology is mainly discussed in connection with
cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, blockchain is a multipurpose
technology with many other potential applications. This article analyzes how
blockchain technology can be used in relation to copyright, especially the
administration and distribution of copyright protected works. It also
examines the questions and challenges that may arise from such use.
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1
I. ISSUES IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM ............................................................................ 2
A. Lack of Reliable Information on Ownership................................................ 2
B. Fragm entation of Ownership ...................................................................... 6
C. Lack of Transparency in Content Usage and Payments ............................. 7
D . Inequality in Revenue D istribution ............................................................. 7
E . P ir a cy .............................................................................................................. 8
II. BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY AS A POTENTIAL SOLUTION ..................................... 8
A. (Block-)Chain of Title: A Copyright Register on the Blockchain ............... 9
B. Smart Licenses: Transfer of Rights Through Smart Contracts................. 35
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 49
INTRODUCTION
In 2008, Satoshi Nakamato, the pseudonym used by the creator(s) of
the cryptocurrencyl Bitcoin, published a paper describing the technical
features of Bitcoin.2 Nakamato had the vision of an electronic payment
system based on cryptographic proof instead of trust, allowing any two
willing parties to transact directly with each other without the need for a
Dr. jur. (University of Bayreuth), LLM (Duke University School of Law).
1 A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that relies on cryptography.
2 See Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, BITCOIN.ORG (2008),
https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf [https://perma.cc/CAD6-4C5P].
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