Blockchains (smart contracts, distributed ledgers) and rights management broadly construed are the themes of today's Spotlight Patents. (Note patent number 11,000,000 was issued today). Assigned to Microsoft, the first of today's patents addresses techniques for consensus-based policy management. Assigned to Vertigo Studios, the second patent concerns techniques for a blockchain-enabled system for controlling advertiser access to personal user data.
11,005,889, "Consensus-based policy management," assigned to Microsoft.
Abstract
Systems, computer program products and methods implementing consensus-based policy management are described. A policy administration point communicates with multiple user devices through policy collaboration plugins. Each user device includes a computer through which an administrator can edit a policy. A first user device can obtain a policy from the policy administration point for editing. The first user device stores the edited policy in a policy store. The first user device notifies one or more second user devices of the edit. Administrators on the second user devices can approve or disapprove the edit. Each second user device notifies the first user device of a respective approval or disapproval. The first user device can determine whether the edit is acceptable based on consensus. The policy store can be implemented locally to the first user device, in a centralized place, or distributed as a blockchain.
10,997,620, "Blockchain-enabled system for controlling advertiser access to personal user data," assigned to Vertigo Studios, LLC.
Abstract
The present invention provides certain blockchain-enabled crypto asset systems operable within a computer network environment for allowing a user to control how advertisers access the user's personal data; allowing crypto asset compensation in exchange for social amplification; and tracking asset allocation. Payments made via blockchain tracking, and the distribution of any revenues derived from cost savings provided to terrestrial, satellite or digital radio broadcasters back to music rights holders and other related groups are provided. These rights holders typically like to incentivize consumers, and by using the crypto assets or tokens created by the present invention, a reward for listening/consuming may be provided. Further, payments for industry services to the rights holder are contemplated to include, but not be limited to any Performance Rights Organizations (PROs), Record Labels, Publishing Companies/Administrators, Managers, Agents or any fractional rights holders or owners who would hold claim against any such revenues.