For SMEs in creative, design, or innovation-driven industries, protecting intellectual property (IP) is vital to sustaining competitiveness. Traditional IP registration systems can be expensive, slow, and jurisdiction-specific, leaving smaller companies at a disadvantage when trying to secure their creations globally. Blockchain-based IP rights management provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative by offering instant, borderless, and tamper-proof proof of authorship or ownership.
By recording a digital fingerprint (hash) of a creative work on the blockchain, SMEs obtain immutable, time-stamped evidence that the asset existed and was owned at a specific point in time. This record can be used to prove originality, defend against plagiarism, or support official IP applications, without relying solely on lengthy bureaucratic procedures.
How SAHEL Adds Value
The SAHEL token serves as both a payment and incentive mechanism within an IP protection framework. SMEs can use SAHEL to:
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Register Creative Works – Pay small fees in SAHEL to hash and record intellectual property on the blockchain, keeping certification costs affordable for SMEs.
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License and Monetize Assets – Smart contracts denominated in SAHEL can automate licensing agreements, ensuring creators receive payments immediately when their work is used commercially.
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Reward Validators – Partners, auditors, or legal professionals could receive SAHEL tokens for verifying or notarizing works on-chain, creating a trusted ecosystem for IP validation.
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Cross-Border Access – Since SAHEL operates on Solana, creators can prove ownership and transact globally without geographical restrictions.
How It Works in Practice
Imagine a boutique fashion brand that designs a new textile pattern. As soon as the file is finalized, the brand’s system generates a hash of the digital file and registers it on the Solana blockchain, paying the registration cost in SAHEL. The metadata includes the designer’s identity, date of creation, and licensing terms. Months later, if another company produces a similar design, the fashion brand can present the original file and its blockchain record as irrefutable proof of authorship. Additionally, if the brand wants to license the pattern, it can create a smart contract that accepts payment in SAHEL, automatically granting access to authorized users.
Technical Implementation Steps
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Asset Digitization – Convert the work (image, CAD file, code, audio, etc.) into digital format.
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Hash Generation – Produce a unique fingerprint using algorithms like SHA-256.
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On-Chain Registration – Deploy a smart contract or use an IP dApp to record the hash, timestamp, and metadata on Solana, paying in SAHEL.
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Metadata Structure – Include asset details (title, description, creator, version, licensing terms).
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Version Control – Register each version of evolving works to maintain an auditable history.
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Access Management – Decide on public or private visibility; store sensitive files off-chain.
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Integration with Legal Processes – Combine blockchain records with official IP office filings when necessary.
Example Implementation
An independent game development studio creates new concept art and 3D models. Each file is hashed and registered on Solana, with the studio paying fees in SAHEL. Licensing terms are coded into a smart contract, allowing publishers to acquire usage rights by sending SAHEL tokens directly. When leaks occur, the studio can prove ownership with time-stamped blockchain records, strengthening its position in legal negotiations while also monetizing its IP transparently through SAHEL.
Benefits for SMEs
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Immediate Proof of Authorship – Establishes creation dates instantly and globally.
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Global Recognition – Blockchain records are universally accessible, crossing jurisdictional barriers.
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Affordable Protection – Using SAHEL keeps certification and licensing costs low for SMEs.
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Monetization Opportunities – Smart contracts allow creators to license works directly, receiving payments in SAHEL without intermediaries.
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Enhanced Brand Value – Demonstrates innovation, originality, and a commitment to ethical practices.