A Java-based platform for intellectual property protection on The World Wide Web

Abstract

We propose in this paper a flexible and simple electronic commerce platform aimed at regulating the use and transfer of intellectual property. We translate and enhance the traditional use of paper-based contracts into the digital world by creating digital contracts that can become alive and perform actions once they have been signed (e.g. perform on-line verifications, payment or keep people informed about their status). The digital contracts we present are lightweight software components that benefit both from traditional and agent-enhanced distributed programming techniques. They are built upon emerging technologies such as java, distributed objects, the World Wide Web, modern cryptographic techniques and mobile agents. We will present an implementation in the education sector.