last five years in the games, medical, logistics, autonomous
driving, and personal assistance sectors. Vision, speech
recognition and generation, natural language processing
(understanding and generation), image and video generation,
multi-agent systems, planning and decision-making have also seen
much progression.
Over the same timeframe, blockchain technology has also
advanced. We have seen the emergence of eco-friendly blockchain
networks, the rise of NFTs, and the adoption of blockchain
applications among non-crypto companies.
GIVEN THIS PROGRESS, HOW CAN AI AND BLOCKCHAIN BENEFIT BRAND
OWNERS?
AI is fantastically suited to filtering large amounts of data
and providing outcomes on the basis of that data which humans – or
even a team of humans – would not be able to accomplish in the same
amount of time.
For instance, we as trade mark practitioners already benefit
from AI in case-law research, goods and services comparisons tools,
trade mark similarity assessments, and word and image
searching.
Unlike AI, which appears to be being readily adopted by trade
mark offices and third-party service providers, blockchain appears
to be less so.
We see that some brand owners are adopting blockchain technology
to ensure the authenticity of their products and to assist customs
and border controls with their handling of imported and exported
goods. However, blockchain as a means of verifying transactions and
tracking of assets, ought to also lend itself to application in
commercial transactions, such as, assignments, licences,
co-existence agreements and settlement agreements.
For example, blockchain and NFTs could be employed in a
situation where once an assignment document/deed has been executed
and confirmation of the consideration paid, the recording of the
assignment at the relevant IP Office is automatically performed
with the IP asset transferred immediately to the new owner.
Alternatively, in a situation where parties have entered into a
co-existence agreement and each party is to undertake certain
obligations (e.g., classification restriction and subsequent
withdrawal of an opposition), it can be envisaged that blockchain
would be ideally suited in effectively and efficiently performing
those tasks on the execution of the agreement, significantly
streamlining the process.
Requests for proof of use are a significant burden for trade
mark owners. The use of blockchain in the recording and storing of
evidence is another area where it is envisaged the technology could
be adopted in future to verify the authenticity of purchases and
sales volumes.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.