Unlocking blockchain's potential for creators and rightsholders
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Access Copyright and Prescient Innovations engage Deloitte Canada in its mission to build a global digital footprint for ownership in creative works
TORONTO (July 25, 2019) – Prescient, Access Copyright’s purpose-driven innovation lab, is pleased to announce that it will work with Deloitte Canada to bring blockchain-powered tools to creators and publishers.
With expertise spanning ideation to commercialization, Deloitte Canada’s Blockchain team will work with Prescient to assist in its development of its Attribution Ledger and other digital services: a tool to track and trace art provenance and ownership as well as a peer-to-peer (P2P) eBook sales platform
The Attribution Ledger is a blockchain-powered public, transparent and open ledger that will establish a reliable and authoritative connection between a creative work (or its digital version), data related to the work, and the rightsholder. More broadly, it will create a verified registry of creative works that anyone, including digital services, can audit.
While there has been extensive discussion of blockchain’s application in the financial sector, its potential for creative industries is now emerging.
“We see an exciting opportunity to change the digital landscape for creators, which has led us to explore how new technologies, like blockchain, can be a positive force for creators, publishers and rightsholders,” said Sapan Narang, Prescient’s Chief of Innovation.
In time, the Attribution Ledger, along with the P2P eBook sales and visual arts digital passport platforms, will provide benefits across the creative ecosystem. For example: Artists will have the necessary tools to verify their work and manage copyright; they will be able to build new ways to assert their rights, share and monetize their work.
“Canada’s emergence as a blockchain hub is recognized around the world. We increasingly see Canadian organizations implementing blockchain technology in new and compelling ways. Prescient is a leading example of Canadian innovation in emerging technologies” said Michael Rose, Partner, Consulting, Deloitte Canada.
For more than 30 years, Access Copyright has been a strong voice for creators and publishers, building relationships with more than 12,000 creators and 650 publishers in Canada, as well as rights management organizations internationally. Prescient Innovations, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Access Copyright, shares the same DNA.
“Our deep rights management experience provides us with a unique perspective on the developing blockchain economy,” said Roanie Levy, President and CEO of Access Copyright and Prescient CEO. “By developing products to specifically serve creators and publishers, we are leveraging this new technology’s power to benefit Access Copyright members and the international creative economy.”
Prescient is one of the few organizations globally dedicated to exploring creator-centred blockchain applications. Authors, artists and publishers who would like to share their perspective and insight – and help to ensure their needs are reflected in Prescient’s work – can join a working group by contacting info@prescientinnovations.com.
The first version of the Attribution Ledger, the P2P eBook sales and art provenance platforms will be available to select creators in late 2019.
About Access Copyright
For over 30 years, Access Copyright has facilitated content use for educational and professional purposes. Access Copyright has helped people make customized use of published materials combined with an assurance that the original creators and publishers also benefit, so that they can continue creating new and innovative works. This is vitally important to a strong Canadian culture and to all who rely on quality publications. Learn more at www.accesscopyright.ca.
About Prescient Innovations
Prescient is a creator-focused innovation lab dedicated to exploring the future of rights management and content monetization. The organization, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Copyright, is leveraging exponential technologies to build a dynamic, new ecosystem for creators, rightsholders and their audiences.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides audit & assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500® companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. To learn more about how Deloitte's approximately 264,000 professionals—9,400 of whom are based in Canada—make an impact that matters, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.
For more information, please contact:
Robert Gilbert
Communications Specialist, Access Copyright
rgilbert@accesscopyright.ca | 416 868 1620 ext. 283