An article published in *Lexology*by Dr Nils Rauer explores the use of Blockchain technology as a means of providing better copyright protection to creators.
This is about 100 years overdue.
Throughout the 20th century, content-providers held the power. If you wrote a book, you saw about 10% of sales. If you were in a movie, probably less. Whilst blockbuster writers and actors had incomes that made headlines, the vast majority of profits from the process went into the pockets of the so-called risk-takers while the creators saw very little for their labours.
In the 21st century, the protection offered by analogue content from unauthorised use and duplication has largely disappeared. Whilst distribution has moved into the hands of the creators (and simultaneously decimated the business models of the big publishers and distributors, newspapers, and film studios) it’s also moved into my hands. And yours. And everyone who has leaned the copy-paste or save-as routine on their computer.
Now, it’s incredibly difficult for content authors to be recognised and remunerated at all. Not even the 10% they used to get. But Blockchain technology may offer a solution by creating a unique and inviolable linkage between creator and content and, thereby, a means for the creator to specify price and usage limitations.
For content providers around the world, this will be a boon.