Blockchain technology and intellectual property protection: a systematic literature review. (28th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Nuo; Zhang, Haiqiang; Du, Rong; Ai, Shizhong; Zheng, Yang; Brugha, Cathal MacSwiney
• Is Part Of: International journal of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. Volume 3:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2022-06-28
• Subjects: blockchain -- intellectual property protection -- IPP -- literature review -- PRISMA protocol; Blockchains (Databases) -- Periodicals; Cryptocurrencies -- Periodicals; Electronic funds transfers -- Periodicals; 332.404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-6425

Abstract

Many products and services require intellectual property protection (IPP). The current IPP schemes suffer from unclear ownership and potential risks of data tampering, among other drawbacks. Recent research has documented a significant need to address these issues. Blockchain presents an opportunity for IPP to help solve existing problems. This study attempts to conduct a systematic review of research on the applications of blockchain to IPP. To summarise existing research findings and provide a theoretical basis for scholars and practitioners, the authors' team used online databases (WOS, CNKI and CSSCI) to identify a total of 172 papers related to 'blockchain applications in IPP', then selected 82 papers for further analysis based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). As a result, the paper analyses existing research topics and identifies directions that can be further investigated. The authors conclude that the urgent research directions to be explored in the future include blockchain technology architecture, IP laws and regulations, and IP management applications and operations.