Intellectual Property Protection using Blockchain and Digital Watermarking

Abstract

Most of the digital systems completely ignore the generation of the watermark and how the watermark will be stored, while developing strong watermarking algorithms to avoid the unauthorized replication of the same asset. In this paper, a framework scheme based on digital watermarking using blockchain technology is proposed for protecting the digital assets of Intellectual Property. Blockchain is used to store the transaction details and the watermark information helps us track the asset's ownership transfer and provides authentication of the watermark. This work demonstrates an implementation of the light and efficient functions, i.e., image hashing using the Wavelet hash function, storing hashed information of the owner and the digital assets using a Quick Response Code, and enables watermarked image storage using the IPFS. We demonstrate that the blockchain can also be used to record the transfer of the asset from one owner to another. One of the takeaways from this proposal is that the elimination of the third-party results in fewer data and copyright leaks which in turn makes the system more reliable and secure. In fact, it speeds up the process of the ownership transfer of the assets.