Utilizing Blockchain Technology for patent information

[shortingbanks]

We all know that blockchain is un-hackable, immutable, auditable, transparent. It reduces the number of intermediaries.

In the IP space, blockchain can help perform a number of activities: Evidence of the rights, record keeping, register and clear rights, control and track the distribution/trade of rights, establish IP contracts.

I came across new technology that basically helps with inbuilt regulation. It maybe easier to use Business Blockchains like Concordium that may help with regulatory compliance and onchain verification, thereby giving legal recourse in case of patents giving them a new meaning.

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices. But the real benefit of blockchain is the presence of smart contracts. Where dispute addressable and patent approval can be recorded on blockchain and visible and verifiable to all.

Why haven't we started already?

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[jackg]

Why haven't we started already?

It has to rely on a central authority though?
And current solutions are also quite similar already (manageable online). I doubt it'll do much.

The central authority still needs to change ownership or transfer the patent to someone else (for example if the patent is proven stolen).

[odolvlobo]

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices. But the real benefit of blockchain is the presence of smart contracts. Where dispute addressable and patent approval can be recorded on blockchain and visible and verifiable to all.
Why haven't we started already?

Because of the centralized nature of patents, I don't think that a blockchain is an appropriate database for creating and maintaining patents.

[AjithBtc]

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices. But the real benefit of blockchain is the presence of smart contracts. Where dispute addressable and patent approval can be recorded on blockchain and visible and verifiable to all.
Why haven't we started already?

Because of the centralized nature of patents, I don't think that a blockchain is an appropriate database for creating and maintaining patents.

Though the patents have a Centralised nature maintaining through blockchain helps in maintaining database in a better way than the present way of data management. Even if a patent is stolen and after years it is identified as a stolen one, it is possible to make a block addition mentioning the reason for the change. This way it'll give a clear pathway for the patent than its present location.

[RapTarX]

There is blockchain based project through which one can register, verify their file. I can't remember the name exactly at the moment though. However, to have them used or adopted globally, unless some of the courts or WIPO or such organizations allow the usage of such projects, I guess no way people will use it.

[hatshepsut93]

Though the patents have a Centralised nature maintaining through blockchain helps in maintaining database in a better way than the present way of data management. Even if a patent is stolen and after years it is identified as a stolen one, it is possible to make a block addition mentioning the reason for the change. This way it'll give a clear pathway for the patent than its present location.

Patents, as if documents, don't really get stolen, there's no point in that. What actually happens is that someone just uses your idea without respecting the copyright, and due to some legal loopholes, they don't get punished for that. There's absolutely nothing that blockchain can help here with.

Patent offices don't really get hacked, and they don't have rogue employees change the records, things like that almost never happen, so even if we agree that blockchain can work here, which is a really big "if", it still doesn't improve anything really.

[Ucy]

Wonder how they built theirs for Patents. Patenting economy/system for Crypto space or decentralized network will be very different. Just for the sake of not corrupting the space with greed, self-centeredness, etc.

Hope the Concordium is well decentralized, transparent, immutable, trustless/permissionless, privacy/anonymity-friendly, censorship resistant, safe, consensus driven, etc. Those are really important principles of good Decentralized Crypto Network

[Harlot]

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices. But the real benefit of blockchain is the presence of smart contracts. Where dispute addressable and patent approval can be recorded on blockchain and visible and verifiable to all.

Why haven't we started already?

What are you talking about here? Patents are no way distributed by country or by it's nature, patents aren't even distributed at all as it will always depend on what company/creator is trying to obtain that patent and where is he living is totally irrelevant. Yeah sure we are seeing a lot of patent claims around China and US but it doesn't mean they are the only ones who can create patents for the blockchain as the exclusivity of their invention is available for anyone to be claims. And I guess that answers your last question on why these inventions even though they have been successfully claimed by their patent owners haven't started yet, since they are mostly busy on obtaining more patents rather than starting on the projects itself.

[davis196]

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices.

No country in the world will give away it's authority,when it comes to patent approval under it's jurisdiction.
I get your idea about a global blockchain-based patent system that will replace all the national patent offices,but this simply can't happen.
By the way,I'm not a big fan of the patent system,because the newly patented products and services are way more expensive than their actual value is(due to the patent royalties paid to greedy companies,that own the patents),which is kinda unfair.

[Lorence.xD]

Why haven't we started already?

It has to rely on a central authority though?
And current solutions are also quite similar already (manageable online). I doubt it'll do much.

The central authority still needs to change ownership or transfer the patent to someone else (for example if the patent is proven stolen).

Well reliance to central authority makes it so that anyone who disputes a patent claims makes sure that they have a fight when it comes claiming rights to patents. I do not want my invention taken away without authority to back up my claim. The problem with decentralized is legal process can be a bit tricky.

I definitely agree on why this is not viable at all. The current patent system works and you know what they say: "If it ain't broke then don't fix it."

[HeRetiK]

Patents are distributed across countries by nature. There is no single registry for patents, but many dispersed around the world. Hence, the idea of a distributed network provides a smart solution to patent offices.

No country in the world will give away it's authority,when it comes to patent approval under it's jurisdiction.
I get your idea about a global blockchain-based patent system that will replace all the national patent offices,but this simply can't happen. [...]

Pretty much this. Patent and copyright law vary from country to country, so before these are normalized across jurisdictions -- pretty much impossible at this point in history -- there's little to be gained by storing them in a global distributed database.

And even once these legal questions have been resolved, you'd still have to rely on centralized authorities to evaluate and confirm or deny patent requests making the usage of a blockchain rather pointless.

[...] The current patent system works and you know what they say: "If it ain't broke then don't fix it."

Looking at patent trolls and patent warfare between multinational corporations I'm not sure I agree on that, but it does seem to be the least broken system so far.

It doesn't seem like the current problems with patents can be fixed via blockchains though.

[so98nn]

This concept ain’t new. I have read this idea before though and all had conclusion that it would be bad idea to put sensitive information like new ideas patented like that. I mean there are times where we listen news like hack through the nodes over blockchain. I’m not sure if the data can be breached through this action or not but it’s still some sort of risk involved. Believe me, patent which involves Pharmaceuticals new chemical entity and techs could be worst hacks. So may be, it could go wrong. It’s better with paper pen still!

[Harlot]

This concept ain’t new. I have read this idea before though and all had conclusion that it would be bad idea to put sensitive information like new ideas patented like that. I mean there are times where we listen news like hack through the nodes over blockchain. I’m not sure if the data can be breached through this action or not but it’s still some sort of risk involved. Believe me, patent which involves Pharmaceuticals new chemical entity and techs could be worst hacks. So may be, it could go wrong. It’s better with paper pen still!

Patent filings are public in nature and companies have no choice but to disclose them always since this is the only way other competitors will know that they are filing the similar kind of patent as what others have already filed. There might be risks involved but I don't think that the patent office nor the company filing the patent itself will be disclosing those kinds of matters, I've seen examples of patent application before and it just mainly show the mechanism or illustration behind what they are doing so some vital information are still left hidden.

[hugeblack]

We all know that blockchain is un-hackable, immutable, auditable, transparent. It reduces the number of intermediaries.

I think you should study a little bit about the nature of the blockchain, the information you provided is inaccurate, the blockchain can be modified and therefore the word hack needs to be re-defined.
The blockchain makes trust between the two parties extending to trust in the network and therefore instead of trusting two people, you will trust all the people who use the network. Therefore, unless there is mining or something being done by the protocol without resorting to a central organization, the blockchain cannot provide a solution. .

This does not deny that it can be done in a distributed or decentralized way.

[fiulpro]

The reason why we haven't stated already is because the government and the people are too scared to try anything new and at the end of the day it does take a lot of work and experience to make something like that in a short while and it's a relatively new technology and thus not many IITians are not yet ready to adopt it yet.

But I do believe that nothing is unhackable!! Since all are made by humans there will be someone who do know where the loopholes are and can use them for the profit. It is a relatively new technology, only back in 2009 it was established and years after gained recognition because of increasing price of Bitcoins. Give it time , it would be used soon at more places like Patents.

[el kaka22]

In addition to patents there is also governmental papers that could be saved that is public information. Obviously there are some secret information that people do not want to keep there and maybe blockchain technology wouldn't be cool for it, but at the same time lets not forget that public information exists so governments could cut down the costs of servers by a ton and keep all those public information on the blockchain tech.

There are tons of stuff that could use blockchain instead of servers but people haven't realized this part of blockchain tech just yet, obviously there are places that uses this tech now but they are small in numbers, in the future there will be more and more of these places everywhere we go as well and all big companies will have a blockchain department in their IT.

[Pffrt]

As far as I know there are two projects which have such option utilizing blockchain for patent information. One of them is DeepVault from DeepOnion which can be accessed through deepvaultonline.org and/or with their wallet itself with DV version. Another project is signature chain but I don't have much information on that.
Anyway, both projects are still to flourish for a lot of reasons. No where anyone can use this service yet.