Application of blockchain technology and crowdfunding to solve structural inefficiencies in digital rights and patents : a comparative analysis
Author(s)
Gabl, Andreas; Krehl, Stephan Ulrich![Thumbnail](/bitstream/handle/1721.1/111452/1003321515-MIT.pdf.jpg?sequence=3&isAllowed=y)
DownloadFull printable version (10.96Mb)
Other Contributors
Sloan School of Management.
Advisor
Jacob Cohen.
Terms of use
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The markets for patents and digital rights, in particular music, are both highly inefficient and feature a large number of intermediaries which capture significant shares of the value created. Therefore, the patents and digital rights systems seem to be perfectly suited for disruption by blockchain technology and crowdfunding. This study examines the structural inefficiencies of the two segments and explores how blockchain and crowdfunding could solve these. We find promising use cases for both concepts in the market of digital rights. In contrast, while crowdfunding solves certain inefficiencies in the field of patents, we believe that blockchain technology has only limited impact here. This thesis is based on academic literature and professional journals in the fields of patents, music, crowdfunding, and blockchain technology as well as self-conducted interviews with industry, legal, and technology experts..
Description
Thesis: S.M. in Management Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2017. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 170-197).
Date issued
2017Department
Sloan School of ManagementPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Sloan School of Management.