Legal trust

In the context of blockchain, "proof of existence" is a mechanism that verifies that certain information or a digital asset existed in a specific form at a specific time. Incorporating the creator's data into an original work establishes a timestamped record, providing undeniable proof that certifies this information.
This system relies on blockchain's immutable and decentralized nature, ensuring that once something is recorded, it cannot be modified or deleted without leaving a clear and verifiable trace.

Key Benefits of Proof of Existence in Artsigna.

  1. 1. Protection of Intellectual Property:
    • Ensured Authenticity: When an artist uploads a work to Artsigna, the blockchain generates a digital record that acts as a certificate of authenticity. This proves that the work existed and was in a specific form at that exact moment.
    • Prevention of Counterfeiting: Blockchain's immutability makes it impossible to alter creation information without detection, protecting against forgery.
  2. 2. Legal Efficiency and Dispute Resolution:
    • Robust Legal Evidence: In legal disputes, the blockchain record provides reliable testimony about the work's existence and form at a given time. This type of evidence is increasingly recognized and valued in judicial proceedings.
    • Quick Verification: Rapid and unambiguous verification of the authorship and creation date simplifies legal processes. This can translate into easier proof in copyright disputes.
  3. 3. Transparency and Security:
    • Clear Chain of Custody: Each transaction or registration on Artsigna's blockchain is documented sequentially and transparently, providing a clear chain of custody accessible to all stakeholders.
    • Trust Between Parties: This transparency fosters a trustworthy environment where buyers, licensees, and other users can interact with creators, knowing that the information is accurate and verifiable.
  4. 4. Simplified Management: Smart Copyrights:
    • Automation of Registration and Rights Transfer: Blockchain enables the automation of many traditionally manual and error-prone processes.
    • Ease of Conducting Audits: his enables tracking the entire work lifecycle, simplifying the audit process.
    • Optimization of Due Diligence Procedures: Provides transparency in intellectual property transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions.

Verification of proof of attribution or authorship of a work registered on the blockchain is based on the technology's ability to create an immutable and transparent record of the work's authorship. When an author registers their work on a blockchain, a unique hash representing that work is generated and associated with the author's identity in the corresponding block.

When attribution or authorship needs to be verified, the hash of the work in question can be compared with the hash registered on the blockchain. If both hashes match, it can be reliably confirmed that the work belongs to the registered author. Since the blockchain is immutable and decentralized, this record is nearly impossible to alter or manipulate, providing strong evidence of the work's authorship.

Complementing proof of attribution with a timestamp provides additional proof of when the work was registered and who the author was at that time. In summary, verification of proof of attribution or authorship of a work registered on the blockchain relies on the transparency, immutability, and security inherent in this technology.

In 2017, PRS for Music, ASCAP, and SACEM joined forces to explore and develop a blockchain-based project to improve copyright management in the music industry. The primary goal of this collaboration was to utilize blockchain technology to create a more efficient, transparent, and reliable system for managing copyrights and royalties in the music industry.

That same year, The Open Music Initiative (OMI) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with the Berklee College of Music, initiated a project to develop blockchain technology for the music industry. The IDB created a music lab to test blockchain-based platforms for the music industry and applicable to the creative industries in the Caribbean, resulting in a revealing report on the impact of its use.

Moreover, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has also adopted new technologies, such as blockchain, to enhance its work and the services it offers to users. As part of its Strategic Plan 2025, the EUIPO launched the first European blockchain platform for intellectual property (IP) registrations in 2021. Since then, its main trademark and design search services, TMView and DesignView, have incorporated this technology. This has enabled fast, reliable, and secure access to information on intellectual property rights.

Currently, at least ten European intellectual property offices have adopted blockchain-based IP registration, making it one of the leading blockchain-based IP systems in the public sector.

Intellectual property organizations worldwide, along with courts and legislators, have been tasked with adjusting current legal frameworks to new ways of distributing and exploiting intangible assets and ensuring their effective protection.