Use of Smart Contracts in Copyright Law

Abstract

1 Use of Smart Contracts in Copyright Law Abstract This Master's thesis examines smart contract technology and its potential application within specific institutes of Czech copyright law. The primary objective of the research is to evaluate whether blockchain-based smart contracts can be effectively utilised in the fields of collective rights management and related licensing agreements, while respecting the existing Czech legal framework. The study focuses on the potential for streamlining and accelerating economic transactions in a digital environment where copyright protection faces novel challenges, including the rise of generative artificial intelligence. The thesis is structured into four chapters, which sequentially analyse the technical nature of smart contracts, their practical application within collective management and licensing agreements, and finally, the legal and technical obstacles hindering more extensive practical implementation. The analysis demonstrates that the greatest potential for smart contracts lies in their integration into the processes of existing collective management organisations (CMOs), specifically OSA, particularly regarding rights under the voluntary collective management regime. This technology could significantly support independent musical artists by increasing the...