Baidu, a Chinese internet search company, launched a blockchain-based stock photography service on Wednesday, April 11th in an effort to protect China’s image intellectual property.
The Totem service went online Wednesday. It uses a blockchain to timestamp each submission of an original photograph from a user who has a real-name and store data that is associated with the images on a distributed system.
Unique image tags will be constructed using existing artificial intelligence capabilities of the company, including image analysis, semantic understanding, and the underlying Block Chain system, which allows circulating images to trace, reproduce, and be monitored to support or deny allegations of copyright infringement.
According to the new site, many traditional stock photo services are now available on the platform. These include notable services like Visual China Group, which is a local partner with Getty Images.
It is not clear if the platform is built on a private or public block chain. It is a significant effort by Baidu, which is often referred to as the “Chinese Google” in its push for Blockchain adoption.
The digital ledger is used to establish rights ownership. It also provides a KODAKCoin token that allows online photo communities to pay for and get dividends on image licenses.
KODAK claimed it would create its own cryptocurrency to replace a blockchain that would support the unique property rights of photo ownership.
