Dish Network Files Patent for Blockchain-Based Anti-Piracy System

One of the largest U.S. television providers has published a patent application for a new "Anti-piracy management system" that uses blockchain to enable owners to track how their content is being used.

Dish Network's application outlines a system that allows owners to embed an identification mark into the content's code that can be stored and regulary updated using a distributed ledger.

Published Thursday, Dish says the proposal can better monitor and enforce ownership rights, alerting platforms to when content is used without permission.

According to the filing, one of the main problems with online streaming is it has become increasingly difficult to combat content piracy.

Dish Network's anti-piracy system, which was originally filed in July 2018, would use blockchain to embed ownership data, owner's name and contact information for example, into content that can only be uploaded and updated by the owners themselves.

As well as acting as a means to more efficiently check copyright, the system can also help platforms enforce ownership rights and take action against publishers who have used content without permission.

It's unclear whether Dish Network's proposed anti-piracy system would work on its own blockchain or on a pre-existing platform.

The system allows uploaders to purchase content directly from the owners.

Should the uploader not have the appropriate access rights, the system can automatically notify both them and the owner that content is being used without permission.

In response, Dish has been quick to take action against online operators it says are using its content illegally.