IOTA launches blockchain tool to simplify music rights management

IOTA has introduced a new blockchain-based tool aimed at simplifying music rights management in the film industry.

IOTA (IOTA), a distributed ledger focused on the exchange of value and data, has unveiled a blockchain-driven tool designed to transform the management of music rights in films, addressing what the project describes as a traditionally time-consuming process.

The new solution, developed under the European Blockchain Pre-Commercial Procurement initiative and funded by the European Commission, leverages distributed ledger technology to streamline negotiations and secure intellectual property rights more efficiently, according to an Aug. 12 blog announcement.

The core of IOTA’s latest solution is the Smart Contracts for Media system, which automates contracts between film producers and rights holders. These smart contracts are self-executing digital agreements, intended to reduce the time traditionally required for negotiations and payment processes.

IOTA brings NFTs to revolutionize IP rights management

IOTA claims its solution promises to “revolutionize the way intellectual property rights are handled,” enabling producers to select predefined contract templates, make real-time adjustments, and finalize terms digitally. Once agreed upon, the smart contracts are deployed on the IOTA Smart Contract Chain, ensuring the agreements are immutable.

The tool also incorporates non-fungible tokens to represent rights and obligations. These NFTs contain unique identifiers that link to detailed data stored off-chain using the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a decentralized storage solution.

The initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges in intellectual property rights protection, an area where blockchain has yet to offer a standardized solution. Other firms, such as U.S.-based Dapper Labs — known for the CryptoKitties video game — have also introduced NFT licenses to broaden the use cases for digital arts, outlining what owners can legally do with their assets.

However, IOTA claims its system improves the traceability and security of rights management, facilitating easier verification of ownership and contractual terms for all parties involved.