Blockchain Mark Management for Virtual Goods Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions fail to effectively manage and control brand ownership and intellectual property rights in virtual economies, particularly in mixed reality environments, where virtual goods featuring trademarks and copyrights lack proper authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing blockchain technology to identify, certify, track, and protect virtual goods by associating them with a mark, allowing brand owners to maintain control through a distributed ledger that records transactions and behavior, ensuring authenticity and legitimate use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional centralized databases are used to track virtual goods, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and security against fraud deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blockchain-based intermediary system that acts as a neutral mediator between brand owners and virtual goods. The blockchain ledger serves as an impartial record-keeper that verifies authenticity without requiring trust in any single party, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional centralized database mechanisms with a decentralized blockchain mechanism. This substitution eliminates the single point of failure and fraud vulnerability inherent in centralized systems, while the automated smart contract execution maintains operational simplicity. The cryptographic verification processes provide security without requiring complex user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If blockchain technology is implemented to ensure security and authenticity, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blockchain system into distinct functional components: a branding module for creating marks, a certification module for issuing certificates, and a verification module for checking authenticity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall system complexity by providing clear separation of concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the blockchain system automatically performs verification and authentication without requiring manual intervention. Smart contracts automatically execute verification logic, and the system self-manages the certification process, reducing the operational complexity despite the underlying technological sophistication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated verification systems are deployed to prevent fraud, then productivity is improved, but loss of information increases due to automated decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the automated verification system continuously monitors and learns from verification outcomes. The system maintains detailed logs of all verification decisions and can be audited or adjusted based on feedback, ensuring that automated decision-making does not result in irreversible information loss while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240378264A1System and method for automatic mark management on the blockchain
Publication Date: 2024.11.14 BRAND THERAPY LLC
  • US20240378264A1 patent drawing
  • US20240378264A1 patent drawing
  • US20240378264A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method to permit brand owners to maintain control over their valuable brands in a virtual economy. The system and method feature a mark to permit legitimate branded items to be identified. Optionally and preferably, the system and method also enable non-legitimate, “fake” or fraudulent branded items to be identified. Such branded items include but are not limited to, any type of trademark, including without limitation any type of word mark, color, logo, slogan or any other suitable type of trademark; any object designed by or associated with the brand; and any item featuring any component or material that is trademarked, patented or copyrighted.