There is no centralized database to track music metadata, which causes problems for music services trying to pay artists. Previous attempts to build a global database failed due to lack of control. Blockchain technology could provide a decentralized database to track music metadata without a central authority. However, blockchains are not well-suited for large databases. A new decentralized metadata network is proposed, with necessary properties including decentralized structure, unique identifiers, interoperability, attribution, and scalable storage. For such a network to work, music startups, streaming services, and data arbiters need to supply metadata to incentivize its development.

1. Jesse Walden
Co-Founder, Mine
Project Lead, Mediachain
@mine_labs
@jessewldn
http://mediachain.io

2. The music data problem
Fractured data

3. There is no central database to keep track of
information about music.

4. This affects music services, who need that
information in order to pay artists and rights owners

5. Attempts to build a global database have failed
● The “Global Repertoire Database” failed in 2014 despite millions of investment
● Stakeholders did not want to cede control

6. Enter the Blockchain
● Bitcoin’s blockchain enabled financial exchange without a middleman
● Effectively a database for tracking ownership of tokens of value

7. Can we extend such a system to the music industry?

8. First, two often conflated problems
Data vs. Money

9. 1. Data Problem
Whose song is this?
● Result of poor data hygiene and fractured databases.
● Prevents payments

10. 2. Money Problem
Where is my money?
● Result of opaque accounting processes
● Obscures artist clarity on payments

11. The Nirvana State
A more efficient, transparent music business powered by blockchains,
cryptocurrencies and smart contracts.
But these technologies won’t tell us who to pay.

12. To enable maximum value flow and creation, we
must solve the data problem first.

13. a metaphor for shared, networked media metadata
music

14. How can we build one?
Necessary properties of a shared media metadata network:
● Decentralized Network
● Unique ID Resolution
● Easy Interoperability
● Attribution
● Scalable data storage
● Data

15. A Decentralized Network
● Network
Enables participants to share data in a single logical
space
● Decentralization
Obviates the need for a central gatekeeper

16. Unique ID Resolution
● Discovery of a common identifier for a song
● Links alternate IDs such as ISRC, ISWC et al to a canonical identifier

17. Easy Interoperability
● A translator enables communication between data formats.
● Allows for incremental compatibility over time

18. Attribution
● All data signed using cryptography
● Enables filtering by identity and reputation

19. Scalable, cost efficient, performant storage
● Blockchains are terrible databases
○ Slow read/write
○ Low storage capacity
○ Transaction Fees
● Decentralized storage for media metadata must:
○ Scale at low cost
○ Offer efficient traversal of complex relationships
○ Preserve revision history

20. Data
Ownership information is all that is necessary to enable a more efficient market

21. Demand is evident, but who has the
incentive to supply data?

22. Music Startups
Best-in-class tools to manage data can take advantage of a shared data network

23. Streaming Platforms
● Have incentive to avoid future lawsuits
● Have technical and financial resources
“we want to fix the global problem of bad publishing data once and for all”
— James Duffett-Smith, Spotify

24. Data Arbiters
● Substantiate claims
● Conflict resolution
● Privacy as a service (eg: domain registrars)

25. Where does this get us?

26. Keith Haring cover illustration for the New Music Distribution Service catalog, 1986.

27. vs.
Information Superhighway Open Web

28. An open metadata network can enable
network effects for media.

29. An open data network for information about creative works
http://mediachain.io
Mediachain

31. Mediachain is open-source network infrastructure

32. @mine_labs
@jessewldn
http://mediachain.io
github.com/mediachain
http://slack.mediachain.io
http://blog.mine.nyc
Thank you.
Jesse Walden
co-founder Mine