New pending patent applications are published by the USPTO on Thursdays. Today's Spotlight Applications concern blockchains (distributed ledgers, smart contracts) and rights management broadly construed. Assigned to Alibaba, the first application discloses techniques for blockchain-based music originality analysis. Assigned to Walmart, the second application discloses techniques for collaborative sharing of information.
20190347290, "Blockchain-based music originality analysis method and apparatus," assigned to Alibaba Group Holding Limited.
Abstract
This specification describes techniques for blockchain-based music originality analysis. One example method includes retrieving a music file published on a blockchain network comprising the music library node and a music analyzer node, performing an originality analysis on the music file based on a local music library to generate a first originality and analysis digest that indicates an originality and analysis result, publishing the first originality and analysis digest to the blockchain network to record and authenticate the originality and analysis result in the blockchain network, retrieving the first originality and analysis digest published to the blockchain network by the music library nodes, summarizing the first originality and analysis digest to generate a second originality and analysis digest, and processing a service related to originality of the music file based on the second originality and analysis digest.
20190347243, "System and method for collaborative sharing of information," assgined to Walmart.
Abstract
A method includes: receiving, from each of a plurality of parties, one or more background intellectual property documents; storing the one or more background intellectual property documents in a block of a blockchain; receiving a joint intellectual property document developed by two or more of the plurality of parties; storing the joint intellectual property document in a different block of the blockchain; comparing and mapping the joint intellectual property document to the one or more background intellectual property documents; generating, based on the comparison and mapping, an affinity level between the joint intellectual property document and the one or more background intellectual property documents; and determining, based on the affinity level, an ownership of the joint intellectual property document.
