IP Lifecycle Management Using Blockchain and Machine Learning: Application to 3D Printing Datafiles

This paper describes a process in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain are complementarily exploited for the lifecycle management of IP rights. A given party interacts with a blockchain to notarize IP assets and uses a machine learning pipeline to compare such assets to other assets from competitors. Analytics and statistics are additionally used to achieve meaningful comparisons and draw conclusions in terms of IP right infringement or validity. Application is made to 3D printing datafiles (Lego-like bricks). In general, such datafiles may potentially be subject to various IP rights, including copyright, trademarks, design patents, utility patents, and prior use rights. As such, they offer use cases of potential interest to many IP practitioners.