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CIPO: A Governance Model for Copyright Registration on the Blockchain

This paper presents a proposal for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) to leverage blockchain for the management and certification of copyright reg

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Abstract

This paper presents a proposal for the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) to leverage blockchain for the management and certification of copyright registrations. It focuses on the problem of establishing an immutable, time-stamped, and authoritative record of creative works. By using a decentralized registry, the authors argue that CIPO can streamline the application process, provide transparent proof of existence, and simplify the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the digital age. The paper discusses the transition from traditional, centralized databases to a blockchain-based registry that could support automated rights management and royalty distribution via smart contracts. It further explores the legal implications of blockchain-based evidence, the integration with existing intellectual property frameworks, and the necessity of creating a reliable governance structure that ensures the validity of digital certificates in court-related disputes and global copyright regimes. Publication: Blockchain Research Institute

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Key findings

  • Blockchain provides immutable evidence of creation time and ownership.
  • Automated royalty distribution is possible through smart contract integration.
  • Decentralized registries modernize the application process for intellectual property.
  • Legal frameworks must adapt to accept blockchain-based evidence as authoritative.

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Citation

(n.d.). CIPO: A Governance Model for Copyright Registration on the Blockchain. Blockchain Research Institute. https://www.blockchainresearchinstitute.org/project/certifying-copyright-in-canada-on-the-blockchain/
Canonical knowledge ID: research:cipo-a-governance-model-for-copyright-registration-on-the-blockchain