Prior Art Registry

The core function is to create a cryptographically secure, tamper-proof timestamp for a document (e.g., an invention disclosure). This is achieved by generating a hash of the document and anchoring it on a public blockchain like Ethereum or Bitcoin. The transaction's block timestamp serves as a globally verifiable proof that the document existed at that specific moment, establishing priority without revealing the document's full contents.

Registries use cryptographic hashing to prove a document existed without publishing it. A user submits only the document hash (a unique digital fingerprint) to the blockchain. This allows inventors to:

• Establish a priority date for a patentable idea before filing.
• Prove authorship of creative work (code, writing, designs).
• Maintain confidentiality while creating an auditable trail, as the original content cannot be reverse-engineered from the hash.

Unlike traditional centralized databases (e.g., a notary or private server), a blockchain registry is decentralized. The record is stored across a distributed network of nodes, making it:

• Resistant to single points of failure or manipulation.
• Censorship-resistant, as no single entity can alter or delete the timestamped proof.
• Globally accessible for verification by anyone with the transaction ID and document hash, enhancing trust and auditability.

These registries are designed to interface with formal intellectual property systems. Key integrations include:

• Linking to patent applications by providing the transaction proof to patent offices as evidence of prior art or invention date.
• Creating a defensible prior art trail for patent litigation or disputes.
• Automating attestations via smart contracts that can trigger actions or provide verified timestamps for digital assets in broader IP management platforms.

Any party can independently verify a prior art claim. Verification requires:

1. The original document.
2. The claimed transaction ID on the blockchain. The verifier hashes the document locally and checks if the resulting hash matches the one stored in the referenced blockchain transaction. A match cryptographically proves the document's existence at the block's timestamp.

The registry's primary function is to provide a cryptographically verifiable timestamp for a piece of intellectual property (IP). By publishing a cryptographic hash (e.g., SHA-256) of the IP document to a blockchain, it creates an immutable, public record that proves the document existed at a specific point in time. This serves as prior art evidence, preventing others from later patenting the same idea.

This is the most direct application. Inventors, researchers, or companies can register their work to establish a defensive publication. If a patent troll later files a broad or overlapping patent, the registry entry provides legal evidence of prior art, which can invalidate the new patent claim. It democratizes access to a form of IP protection without the cost of a full patent application.

A common technical implementation involves:

• Storing the actual IP document (whitepaper, design file) on IPFS (InterPlanetary File System), which provides a content-addressed link (CID).
• Publishing the IPFS CID along with a timestamp and creator's signature to a smart contract on a blockchain like Ethereum.
• The blockchain transaction hash becomes the permanent, tamper-proof proof of registration.

A Prior Art Registry is a specific application of the broader proof of existence primitive. While proof of existence simply verifies a document existed at a time, a Prior Art Registry adds context for intellectual property law, often including metadata like inventor details, claims, and links to related filings. Other proof-of-existence use cases include notarization, document versioning, and academic paper timestamping.

• Cost-Effective: Significantly cheaper than formal patent filings in multiple jurisdictions.
• Global & Immediate: The record is publicly verifiable worldwide from the moment of blockchain confirmation.
• Tamper-Proof: The decentralized nature of blockchain prevents retroactive alteration of the timestamp or record.
• Transparent: Creates a public, auditable trail, unlike private disclosure to a law firm.

• Not a Patent: Registration does not grant exclusive rights; it only establishes prior art.
• Legal Recognition: While the cryptographic proof is strong, its admissibility and weight in court vary by jurisdiction.
• Data Privacy: Publishing a hash reveals the document's existence; the content itself may be inferred if the document is publicly shared elsewhere (e.g., via the IPFS link).

The core cryptographic function of a Prior Art Registry. It involves generating a cryptographic hash of a document and permanently recording it on a blockchain, creating an immutable proof of existence at a specific point in time. This process does not store the document itself, only its unique digital fingerprint.

• Key Property: Provides non-repudiable evidence of prior art.
• Mechanism: Uses hash functions like SHA-256 to create a deterministic, fixed-size digest.
• Example: A researcher can hash their whitepaper and submit the hash to a registry to prove they had the idea before a competitor's patent filing date.

A verifiable cryptographic claim that a specific piece of digital information existed at or before a proven point in time. In a Prior Art Registry, this is the primary output, derived from the timestamping process.

• Verification: Anyone can independently hash the original document and compare it to the hash stored on-chain.
• Immutability: Guaranteed by the underlying blockchain's consensus mechanism (e.g., Proof of Work, Proof of Stake).
• Use Case: Used in legal disputes, intellectual property claims, and document notarization to establish precedence.

A self-sovereign, verifiable identifier anchored on a decentralized system like a blockchain. In the context of a registry, a DID can be used to cryptographically link the creator to the registered prior art without revealing personal identity.

• Function: Enables pseudonymous or verified attribution.
• Standard: Often follows W3C DID specifications.
• Benefit: Allows creators to prove ownership of multiple prior art submissions over time without relying on a central authority for identity management.

The protocol that secures the blockchain underlying the Prior Art Registry, ensuring all participants agree on the state of the ledger and the order of transactions (timestamps). This prevents tampering and guarantees the integrity of the recorded proofs.

• Examples: Proof of Work (Bitcoin), Proof of Stake (Ethereum), Delegated Proof of Stake.
• Role: Provides the immutability and trustlessness that make the registry's timestamps credible.
• Impact: The choice of mechanism affects security, decentralization, and the cost of submitting a record.

Self-executing code deployed on a blockchain that can automate the operations of a Prior Art Registry. It defines the rules for submitting a hash, potentially collecting fees, and emitting events.

• Automation: Handles submission logic, access control, and event logging without intermediary servers.
• Transparency: The contract's code and all interactions are publicly auditable on-chain.
• Extension: Could be programmed to integrate with other systems, like triggering notifications or linking to Decentralized Storage for document availability.