At a conference recently, someone asked me about blockchain and digital rights management. I hadn't looked at US patent applications from that perspective. For the next few weeks, I'll be highlighting a sample of patent applications that mention digital rights and blockchain in the patent specification -- the broad written description of the invention. See this article in the Wiki for a discussion of blockchain technologies and their applications in several domains.
This week's Spotlight Applications are both assigned to Cable Labs. The first application discloses blockchaining systems and methods for frictionless media. The second application discloses blockchaining for media distribution.
20170221029, "Blockchaining systems and methods for frictionless media," assigned to Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
Abstract
An ecosystem for distributing digital content over an electronic communications network includes a content creator computer system having a processor and a memory configured to store raw digital content. The system further includes computer systems for content service and for a retailer, both in operable communication with the processor. The content service computer system is configured to receive the raw digital content and transmit packaged digital content. The retailer computer system is configured to receive the packaged digital content and display its availability to an electronic device of a user. The ecosystem further includes a blockchain in operable communication with the processor, and the content service and retailer computer systems. The blockchain is configured to verify a transfer of the packaged digital content from the content service system to the user, a payment from the user to the retailer, and an update with information regarding the verified transfer and payment.
20170134161, "Blockchaining for media distribution," assigned to Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
Abstract
A system for distributing content over an electronic communications network includes a first electronic device including a first processor and a first memory, and a second electronic device including a second processor and a second memory. The second electronic device is configured to communicate with the first electronic device over the electronic communications network. The system further includes a blockchain and a blockchain processor in operable communication with each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device over the electronic communications network. The blockchain processor is configured to verify a transfer of content between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and to update the blockchain with information regarding the verified transfer of content.
