Four Ways Blockchain Can Help Engineers With Patent IPs

• business, Electronics & Test, Science, Technology

5 min. (977 words)

four-ways-blockchain-can-help-engineers-with-patent-ips

The adoption of blockchain has indeed been widespread. But the realm of intellectual property protection could find blockchain particularly useful.

The industry of IP has plenty of its own problems. On average, infringement can cost a company around $102 million a year. And there’s little on the horizon that indicates any relief on that front. 

Blockchain, intellectual pro[perty, Cisco, Fortunly

Blockchain technology can address the issue of IP infringement. (Image source: Cisco)

But blockchain technology could address this issue. In fact, its radical approach to data storage lends itself kind of perfectly to solve much of the IP industry’s ills. And IP protection for engineering patents, in particular, could benefit from blockchain on its side.

But, first, let’s take a step back and look at why enforcing IP rights in general is so problematic.

Problems Plaguing Intellectual Property Protection

One of the greatest problems to IP protection comes from the Internet or, rather, how it helped proliferate content. The Internet has enabled us to easily copy, download, and share digital content. Not only that, but doing so is also near-instantaneous. Piracy is a great example of how IP owners lose out on profits.

You can see how that might make copyright protection a bit more difficult than before the Internet existed. With people being capable of copying, downloading, or otherwise distributing intellectual property owners’ content without breaking a sweat, protecting IP becomes next to undoable.

And that isn’t the end for owners’ woes. The systems that are supposed to enforce copyright protection are sorely out of date. DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is the most up-to-scratch safeguard, and that act is from 1998. It has done some good, but it isn’t enough, especially nowadays.

This isn’t due to it being fundamentally flawed. Rather, it’s simply down to the fact that, on its own, it cannot keep up with so many people violating its stipulations. It’s more of a technology problem than anything else.

And that’s where blockchain comes into play.

What Is Blockchain? A Brief Explanation

Blockchain, in a nutshell, is a digital ledger that distributes access to and control over data to all of its members. Its records cannot be erased or changed in any capacity, all the data is completely transparent, and hacking the system is nigh impossible.

Using blockchain to guard the rights of intellectual property has quite a few advantages. GoChain is a well-known example of a company that leverages this tech to make IP’s safer. 

But how does this translate to IP protection? These characteristics are applicable to the aforementioned problems in several ways.

Proving Patent Ownership

Patent ownership rights are a bit of a pain to prove sometimes. In creative fields (music, videos, and the like), whatever you create de facto belongs to you, but when someone (wrongfully) claims that creation is theirs, it’s difficult to prove you created said content when there’s little to no documentation pointing to the fact. 

And in these cases, the onus is normally on the creator to prove that they created the work in question. And that’s the tricky part. Patents are a tad easier to prove ownership over, but it can still prove difficult.

But blockchain, possessing indelible records of all data, can tell you exactly when what was created. This makes it easier to prove ownership whenever someone illegally uses your content. 

Monitoring Use of Content

Seeing that all the information on the blockchain is transparent, every piece of data is easily trackable. The network marks any instance of a patent being used, replicated, or otherwise, so users can track exactly what is done to it.

This would greatly improve the situation in regards to people infringing on IP rights willy-nilly. Creators could keep track of any instances of their work and how people utilize them. And if any of those instances violate ownership rights, you’ll know it.

Streamlining the Registration Process

Decentralization is blockchain’s main schick. The fact that the system doesn’t require third-party oversight means that all the red tape associated with such entities goes out the window.

This could come in handy indeed in the IP world. The journey to attaining patent rights can take as much as 22 months. Some exceptions, like utility patents, might be faster, usually wrapped up between six and twelve months, but it’s still a long wait.

The bulk of this time comes down to bureaucracy. And blockchain can go around this problem. Blockchain could greatly reduce this massive wait, leaving both individuals and businesses with more time for further innovation or other affairs.

Smart Contracts

The concept of smart contracts uses blockchain in a more innovative fashion. For those who don’t know, smart contracts are self-verifiable, self-enforceable contracts that don’t need any other entity other than those involved in the agreement.

This could facilitate much easier and smoother enforcement of licencing agreements. Creators that enter into these contracts can easily see if its stipulations are being respected or not. This is a more hands-on use of blockchain, and its potential applications are many. Nevertheless, it’s just as needed here.

Whenever a contract stipulation regarding patent use is being violated, the contract has the ability to respond by, for instance, terminating. This would do wonders to reduce IP abuse in the engineering world.

Wrap-Up

Blockchain technology has the potential to greatly improve the current situation of patent IP protection. Its triple-threat, that being decentralization, transparency, and immutability, would both smooth out and reinforce the systems that are currently in place. It would enable inventors to gain better control over their patents, while also having a better idea of what’s being done to them. As things stand right now, these would be welcome changes indeed.

Tamara Backovic is a content specialist at Fortunly with a background in computer sciences, tech research and IT.

142 comments

  1. Tremendous things here. I am very satisfied to see your post.
    Thank you a lot and I am taking a look forward to touch you.

    Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  3. Hi! I кnow this is kinda off topic Ƅut I’d fiցured I’d ask.
    Wouod you be interested in eҳchanging links or maʏbe guest authoring a blog artiⅽle or vice-versɑ?Μy bloɡ addreses a lot of
    tһe same topics as yours and I feel ᴡe coᥙld greatly benefit from each other.
    If you’ｒe interested feel free tо ѕend me an email.
    I loοk forward to hеaaring from you! Great blog by the way!

  13. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It
    positively useful and it has aided me out loads.

    I am hoping to give a contribution & aid other
    users like its aided me. Good job.

    Here is my site – WifiLift Reviews (koan.at)

  14. I feel that is among the so much significant info for me.
    And i’m glad reading your article. However should observation on few general things, The website taste is perfect, the articles is in point of fact great :D.
    Just right activity, cheers.

    my blog: Pure Remedy CBD Oil (vip5.moisait2021.ru)

  16. I always was concerned in this subject and stock still am, appreciate it for posting.

    Here is my blog Evo Naturals Hemp Gummy Bears Price – Charlotte#,

  17. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was
    wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a
    blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
    Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks

    My blog post Dermal Pearle Reviews

  22. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that.

    And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Therefore
    let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

    Feel free to visit my webpage … Blossom CBD (cgoforo.net)

  25. I have been surfing online greater than 3 hours these days, but I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours.
    It is beautiful value enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just
    right content material as you did, the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever
    before.

    my web blog: Oracle Leaf CBD Review

  29. Hello there I am so delighted I found your blog page,
    I really found you by error, while I was researching on Google for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many thanks
    for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse
    it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also
    added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more,
    Please do keep up the awesome work.

    My blog: Lorena

  32. I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.

    Here is my webpage Syner Sooth CBD

  33. Great post, I believe people should larn a lot from this blog its really user
    pleasant. So much wonderful info on here :
    D.

    My website Rufus

  35. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
    but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making
    my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions?

    Appreciate it

    Also visit my site: Hempizor CBD Oil

  36. hello there and thank you for your info ? I’ve definitely
    picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site,
    as I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to
    I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK?

    Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect
    your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
    Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for
    much more of your respective interesting content.
    Ensure that you update this again very soon.

    my blog; Glacier Air Conditioner Reviews

  38. Wow, wonderful blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
    you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your site is wonderful, let alone the content!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog; Fast Dash Keto Reviews
    (forum.aytld.com)

  43. I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this kind of space .
    Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site.
    Studying this info So i am satisfied to
    express that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed.
    I such a lot surely will make sure to do not omit this site and give
    it a glance regularly.

    Also visit my webpage :: ACV Rx Review

  50. My husband and i got so cheerful when Chris could finish up his investigation from the ideas he grabbed in your site.
    It’s not at all simplistic to simply continually be giving for free tips which usually others might have been selling.
    We really recognize we have got you to thank because of that.
    These explanations you have made, the simple blog menu, the
    relationships you will help promote – it’s everything
    wonderful, and it is aiding our son and the
    family reason why this issue is excellent, and that is unbelievably serious.

    Thanks for all!

    Review my blog post: Biodermeux

  53. Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a
    similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of
    spam remarks? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.

    Here is my web-site Summer Valley CBD Oil

  58. I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model,
    very clean and magnificent user genial style and design, let alone
    the content. You’re an expert in this topic!

    Visit my web blog; kanmoulue.com

  67. I would like to express my thanks to the writer for rescuing me from such a problem.

    After searching through the online world and meeting thoughts that were not beneficial,
    I thought my life was well over. Being alive without the answers to the issues you’ve solved all through the short
    post is a crucial case, and ones that would have badly affected my career if I had not encountered your web blog.

    Your primary capability and kindness in handling all the pieces
    was invaluable. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a thing like this.
    I can at this point look forward to my future. Thank
    you so much for this high quality and effective guide.
    I won’t hesitate to propose your blog to anybody who should get counselling on this issue.

    my webpage – http://www.fles.hlc.edu.tw

  73. Wow, marvelous weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever
    been running a blog for? you made running a blog look easy.
    The full glance of your site is wonderful, let alone the
    content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I just could not
    leave your web site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info a person provide on your guests?
    Is going to be again steadily to check up on new posts.

    Feel free to surf to my site :: benjamindinh.fr

  77. of course like your website however you have to take a look
    at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of
    them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform
    the reality however I’ll surely come back again.

    Feel free to visit my web-site; Androrexin

  79. What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads.
    I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist different users like its aided me.
    Great job.

    Feel free to visit my web-site – prettypeople.club

  82. Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did
    you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with
    a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine.
    Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you

    my website … yellowing teeth

  83. I truly wanted to send a quick word in order to appreciate you for all the
    precious tips and tricks you are writing here. My rather long
    internet research has at the end of the day been honored with pleasant suggestions to talk about
    with my guests. I would repeat that we website visitors
    are unequivocally lucky to be in a great place with so many brilliant
    individuals with very beneficial pointers. I feel very happy to have encountered your web page and look forward to many more
    pleasurable moments reading here. Thank you once again for all the details.

    my web site shihan.com.ru

  84. Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have
    found out till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?

    Also visit my page; man boobs

  85. I wish to express appreciation to you for rescuing me from such a difficulty.
    Because of searching throughout the online world and obtaining tips that
    were not productive, I assumed my entire life was over.

    Being alive minus the answers to the difficulties you have fixed through
    the short post is a critical case, and those which may have negatively affected my
    career if I had not come across your website. Your expertise and kindness
    in controlling all the things was valuable.
    I am not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such
    a thing like this. I’m able to now look forward to my future.
    Thanks for your time very much for this expert and
    sensible guide. I will not be reluctant to suggest your web sites
    to anybody who needs to have recommendations on this subject matter.

    My web site … prettypeople.club

  95. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done
    a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

    Feel free to surf to my web-site … indoor growing

  101. Awesome website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any user discussion forums
    that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
    I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get
    advice from other experienced people that share the same interest.

    If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
    Many thanks!

    Here is my web blog; oral sex tips

  114. Terrific work! That is the type of information that
    are supposed to be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for
    now not positioning this put up higher! Come on over and consult with my site .

    Thanks =)

    my webpage … firming skin

  116. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as
    though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your
    intelligence on just posting videos to your site
    when you could be giving us something informative to
    read?

    Also visit my homepage :: http://www.wenalway.com

  118. First off I would like to say wonderful blog!
    I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if
    you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your head before
    writing. I’ve had difficulty clearing my mind in getting my thoughts
    out there. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems
    like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be
    lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any suggestions
    or hints? Many thanks!

    Here is my blog post; Susannah

  119. I liked as much as you will obtain performed right here.
    The caricature is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an impatience
    over that you want be turning in the following. ill undoubtedly come more formerly
    once more as exactly the same nearly a lot ceaselessly inside case
    you shield this increase.

    Feel free to surf to my site healthy lifestyle

  125. I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It is pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and
    bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be
    much more useful than ever before.

    Also visit my web blog: carb diet

  129. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before
    but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking
    and checking back often!

    my homepage … pure hemp seed oil

  132. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!
    Extremely useful information specially the last part 🙂 I deal with such info a
    lot. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

    Here is my web site; hemp seed contains

  136. Pingback: best veggies for keto diet
  137. Pingback: baricitinib india
  138. Pingback: baricitinib 2 mg
  139. Pingback: aralen otc
  140. Pingback: tamoxifen 20 mg
  141. Pingback: molnupiravir canada
  142. Pingback: 8 zanaflex

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.