Managing Rights Management

FutureLab Consulting and Northern Trust Blockchain and DRM Patent Applications

New pending patent applications are published on Thursdays. We continue the theme of blockchain (distributed ledger, smart contracts) and digital rights management broadly construed. The first of this week's Spotlight Applications is assigned to FutureLab Consulting and discloses techniques for managing intellectual property using a blockchain which may include one or more elements which forms a comprehensive foundation for an eco-system for innovation and intellectual property management. Assigned to Northern Trust, the second application discloses techniques for digital identity management and permission controls within distributed network node.

NTT and Cambridge Blockchain DRM and Blockchain Patent Applications

New pending patent applications are published by the USPTO on Thursdays. Today's Spotlight Applications continue with our theme of blockchain (distributed ledger, smart contracts) and digital rights management broadly construed. Assigned to NTT (JP), the first application discloses techniques for permission information management system, user terminal, right-holder terminal, permission information management method, and permission information management program. Assigned to Cambridge Blockchain, the second application discloses techniques for managing digital identities.

Fidelity and Merck Blockchain and DRM Patent Applications

New patent applications are published by the USPTO on Thursdays. This week's Spotlight Applications continue the theme of blockchain (distributed ledger, smart contracts) and digital rights management broadly construed. Assigned to Fidelity, the first application discloses firmware extensions for secure cryptocurrency key backup, restore, and transaction signing platform apparatuses. Assigned to Merck (DE), the second application discloses techniques for composite security marking for a physical object, in particular to an anti-counterfeit product marking.

IBM and Northern Trust Blockchain and DRM Patents

New patents are issued by the USPTO on Tuesdays. Today's Spotlight Patents concern aspects of blockchain (distributed ledger, smart contracts) and digital rights management broadly construed. Assigned to IBM, the first patent addresses techniques for privacy-preserving transaction validation mechanisms for smart contracts that are included in a ledger. Assigned to Northern Trust, the second patent addresses techniques for digital identity management and permission controls within distributed network nodes.

IBM and Forcepoint Blockchain and DRM Patents

For this week's Spotlight Patents, continue with the theme of blockchain (distributed ledger) and digital rights management, broadly construed. Assigned to IBM, the first of this week's patents addresses techniques for a drone used for authentication and authorization for restricted access via an electronic lock. Assigned to Forcepoint, the second patent addresses techniques for generating a cyber behavior profile.

IBM and Sprint DRM Patents

New patents are issued by the USPTO on Tuesdays. Both of today's Spotlight Patents concern aspects of digital rights management. Assigned to IBM, the first patent addresses techniques for digital rights management (DRM)-enabled policy management for an identity provider in a federated environment. Assigned to Sprint, the second patent addresses techniques for delivering digital content to a mobile device via a digital rights clearing house.

Cambridge Blockchain and Manifold Technology Blockchain and DRM Patents

This posting continues the theme of blockchain (or distributed ledger) and digital rights management understood broadly. Assigned to Cambridge Blockchain, LLC, the first of this week's Spotlight Patents addresses techniques for managing digital identities. Assigned to Manifold Technology, the second patent addresses techniques for providing a cryptographic platform for exchanging information.

Sony Ericsson and Nokia DRM Patents

Tuesdays the Patent Office issues new patents. Today's Spotlight Patents both address aspects of digital rights management. Assigned to Sony Ericsson, the first patent concerns techniques for distributing content to a mobile device with digital rights.  Assigned to Nokia, the second patent concerns techniques for managing access rights to information spaces.

Two DRM Patent Applications

On Thursdays the USPTO publishes new pending patent applications. Both of today's Spotlight Applications concern aspects of digital rights management. Assigned to General Instrument, the first application discloses techniques for trading unused digital rights. The second application discloses techniques for identity management in wireless devices, no assignee given.

Digimarc Spins Off ID Business

Watermarking vendor Digimarc has announced that it is selling its ID Systems business to L-1 Identity Solutions Inc. The sale leaves Digimarc free to focus its resources on its digital watermarking and licensing business.

“This relationship comes at a particularly opportune time for Digimarc, as we are experiencing an inflection point in adoption and revenue growth for digital watermarking,” said Davis [Bruce Davis, Digimarc Chairman and CEO]. “Our technology is beginning to permeate the full range of media content, from banknotes and secure credentials to television, movies, music, video games, digital images, advertisements, packaging, and industrial goods. This transaction represents a great step forward for our shareholders, employees, and customers. As we combine our ID Systems assets with global leader L-1 to form a more comprehensive offering responsive to our customers’ evolving needs, we are also redoubling our focus on the realization of our founding vision to making digital watermarking a standard feature in all media content. This is a very exciting moment in our history.”

Seems like a wise move.

Switzerland Warns File Trackers

InfoWorld reports that the Swiss government has warned Logistep, a company that tracks file sharers, that its tactics may be illegal under Swiss law. Identifying file sharers is part of global antipriracy efforts that in the view of some compromises the privacy of individuals.

Logistep, which supplies information on suspected file sharers to law firms around the world for use in copyright violation cases, has until Feb. 9 to respond to the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), said Marc Schaefer, the agency's legal advisor.

Under Swiss law, the identity of a subscriber to an ISP can only be revealed during the course of a criminal case, not a civil one, Schaefer said. The IP address of a computer controlled by the subscriber is considered "personal" information.

Identity Rights Management

Integration Developer News has a good article by Adarbad Master on identity and identity rights management. (Alert: many many acronyms but useful to interested parties nonetheless.)  Snippets: