Blockchain-Based Digital Rights Management (DRM) System

Objective:

To create a decentralized, transparent, and tamper-proof system for managing intellectual property (IP) and digital content rights using blockchain technology, ensuring fair use, ownership protection, and automated royalty payments.

Key Features:

Immutable Ownership Records – Register and verify content ownership on the blockchain.

Smart Contracts for Licensing – Automate usage rights, licensing terms, and royalty payments.

Tokenization of Digital Assets – Convert music, videos, images, or documents into NFTs or unique digital tokens.

Access Control Management – Restrict or grant access to content based on licenses or subscriptions.

Transparent Royalty Distribution – Payments are split and distributed automatically to rights holders.

Global Interoperability – Compatible with NFT marketplaces and other DRM systems.

Audit Trails – Track every interaction (view, download, license) with a digital asset.

Technologies Used:

Blockchain Platforms: Ethereum / Flow / Polygon

Smart Contracts: Solidity (for licensing and royalty distribution)

Token Standards: ERC-721 / ERC-1155 (NFTs), ERC-20 (for royalties)

Frontend: React.js / Vue.js

Backend: Node.js / Express.js

Storage: IPFS / Arweave (for storing media off-chain)

Web3 Integration: Ethers.js / Web3.js

Wallet Support: MetaMask / WalletConnect

Encryption: AES/RSA for secure content delivery

How It Works:

Content Registration:

Creators register digital content (e.g., song, video, article) on the blockchain. Metadata and a unique hash are recorded immutably.

Licensing via Smart Contracts:

Users purchase or request licenses. Smart contracts enforce usage rights and handle payments.

Access & Distribution:

If approved, users get access (e.g., to stream or download). Unauthorized use is blocked.

Royalty Payments:

When content is used or purchased, smart contracts instantly distribute royalties to stakeholders (e.g., creator, publisher).

Ownership Transfer:

Rights can be transferred or sold as NFTs, preserving full history of ownership.

Benefits:

Ownership Proof: Creators get verifiable proof of authorship and IP rights.

Revenue Transparency: No hidden fees; royalty distribution is visible and automated.

Piracy Prevention: Smart contracts and encrypted access limit unauthorized usage.

Global Access: Digital rights can be enforced and transferred across borders.

Trustless System: No need for intermediaries like publishers or rights agencies.

Creator Empowerment: Artists and content creators manage their own work and income directly.