This article offers a normative analysis of key blockchain technology concepts from the perspective of copyright law. Some features of blockchain technologies—scarcity, trust, transparency, decentralized public records and smart contracts—seem to make this technology compatible with the fundamentals of copyright. Authors can publish works on blockchain creating a quasi-immutable record of initial ownership, and encode ‘smart’ contracts to license the use of works. Remuneration may happen on online distribution platforms where the smart contracts reside. In theory, such an automated setup allows for the private ordering of copyright. Blockchain technology, like Digital Rights Management 20 years ago, is thus presented as an opportunity to reduce market friction, and increase both licensing efficiency and the autonomy of creators. Yet, some of the old problems remain. The article examines the differences between new, smart-contract-based private ordering regime and the fundamental components of copyright law, such as exceptions and limitations, the doctrine of exhaustion, restrictions on formalities, the public domain and fair remuneration.

中文翻译：

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区块链和智能合约：版权许可中缺少的链接？

本文从版权法的角度对关键区块链技术概念进行了规范分析。区块链技术的某些功能-稀缺性，信任度，透明度，去中心化公共记录和智能合约-似乎使该技术与版权基本原理兼容。作者可以在区块链上发布作品，创建最初所有权的准不变记录，并对“智能”合约进行编码以许可作品的使用。薪酬可能会在智能合约所在的在线分发平台上发生。从理论上讲，这种自动设置允许版权的私人订购。因此，像20年前的数字版权管理一样，区块链技术被视为减少市场摩擦，提高许可效率和创作者自主性的机会。然而，一些旧问题仍然存在。本文探讨了基于智能合约的新型私人订购制度与版权法基本组成部分之间的区别，例如例外与限制，穷竭原则，形式限制，公有领域和公平报酬。