The abundant promise of blockchain has yet to be realized. To many in IP, finance and tech, it is just beginning to come into sight. The initial application of blockchain’s distributed ledger, bitcoin, has turned out to be more of a speculative sideshow than a legitimate alternative currency. We hear repeatedly that bitcoin is merely […]
Search results: blockchain
59% of blockchain patents are owned by developers; BofA and IBM dominate financial and tech players
April 24, 2018 
2 Comments
More than half of U.S. blockchain patents are owned by blockchain-specific developers, while 20% are owned by financial institutions, led by Bank of America (see pie chart below). Number three, Fidelity, has about a third as many patents as BofA. Number two, MasterCard, some 50% fewer. 13% are owned by traditional technology businesses, led by IBM, which owns […]
Blockchain patent applications doubled in 2017 to more than 1,200
March 27, 2018 0 Comments
1,240 blockchain patent applications were filed worldwide in 2017, up from 594 in 2016 and 258 in 2015. Among the leading filers were Bank of America, MasterCard, Goldman Sachs, Walmart, JP Morgan, and IBM. According to data collected by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and reported in CryptoCurrency, more than 1240 applications for blockchain-related patents […]
China says it leads the U.S. in blockchain patents and investment
March 7, 2018 1 Comment
While China is no fan of bitcoin mining – it has moved to close mining operations – it is actively pursuing block chain patents, and is touting its leadership over the U.S. China is the leading country for blockchain patents with Alibaba and PBOC on top, claims TechNode, a Chinese IP publication that partners with […]
Bank of America is granted (another) blockchain-type patent
December 12, 2017 1 Comment
Bank of America was granted last week a patent on a “cryptocurrency transformation system” that comprises a platform to manage exchange rates between various currencies, transfer requests, and customer accounts. The timing could not be better. The price of a bitcoin as of December 12 is $17,756.96, up from $1,000 on January, and the premium on cryptocurrency and […]
Blockchain patent publications picked up speed in August
August 29, 2017 3 Comments
An uptick in recent blockchain patent publications may be an indication that the technology is quietly picking up steam, with competing big banks and tech businesses vying for leadership. “The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published in late August 2017 nine additional patent applications related to blockchain technology that was filed by Bank of America,” reports The Coin […]
Accenture upsets blockchain believers with patent filing
September 23, 2016 0 Comments
Consulting giant Accenture has rattled the cage of the fintech community by filing a patent for an “editable” blockchain that would allow a central administrator to edit or delete information stored in a permissioned blockchain system. Business Insider cites a Financial Times report that states a permissioned system is governed by a central administrator using agreed upon […]
Will blockchain technology fuel a new patent war or prevent one?
September 8, 2016 5 Comments
The race is on to gain control of a new technology that has the power to reinvent banking and make transactions and other agreements between parties cheaper, safer and easier to complete. Like disruptive inventions that preceded it, blockchain has businesses, large and small, jockeying for leadership. This means that patents are likely to play a […]
AST’s 2018 patent purchase program is open July 9 – July 20
July 9, 2018 0 Comments
Patent holders, this year’s version of Allied Security Trust’s Industry Patent Purchase Program, “IP3,” is a good indication of where the demand is highest. The 2018 fixed price, time-limited program AST and its members are searching for patents primarily in the following categories: Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality Automotive / Transportation […]
Patents for Financial Services Summit to examine IP system health
May 7, 2018 0 Comments
The 15th Annual Patents for Financial Services Summit will gather patent and IP counsel, as well as senior financial executives, to discuss recent trends in financial patent litigation, value, and patentability. The Summit will be held July 25-26 at the Sheraton Times Square in New York. Presentations include updates on CBMs, IPRs, Oil States vs. Greene, […]
“Strong IP Drives the Bottom Line” is theme of 2018 LESI Annual Conference
March 20, 2018 0 Comments
This year’s Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) Annual Conference will have a financial focus and take place in San Diego April 20-May 1. The plenary session keynote address by Mike Hoefflinger, “Think You Know Facebook’s Story …Think Again, and Learn Along the Way,” will look at the IP story behind the story. After working directly for Andy […]
Update: 62 weird but strangely useful facts about bitcoin
November 3, 2017 1 Comment
$100 invested in bitcoin in July 2010 is worth about $6M today. For many, it is still unclear if blockchain is a viable alternative currency, an investment or a scheme that has made some people rich. One Bitcoin today currently equals $7,416.88, up from under $500 over a year ago. With those multiples you can see […]
New York
Boston
Washington D.C.
Special Event – NY
Top-50 Blog
IP CloseUp was selected as among the top 50 of Feedspot’s 100 Intellectual Property Blogs and Websites to Follow in 2018.
London
News and Analysis
San Francisco
Munich
New York City
San Diego
New York City
Chicago
For a PIPCO roundup, tap below:
IP Services
Independent Non-Profit
New Dehli
New Hampshire
Follow us on Twitter & LinkedIn & Facebook
Collection
IP Branding
Atlanta
Three of Bruce’s Books
About Bruce Berman
Bruce is a long-time IP observer, adviser and editor, who is in close close contact with the leading owners and influencers. He tracks latest trends and developments, and monitors transactions, strategy and performance.
Since 1988 Bruce has been working with IP holders, managers and lawyers, as well as investors, to convey value to the right audiences. In 2016 he founded the Center for IP Understanding, an independent non-profit, www.understandingip.org.
Bruce is responsible for five books, including the best-seller "From Ideas to Assets." He has written The Intangible Investor column for IAM Magazine since 2003. For his full bio, visit www.brodyberman.com or click below.
