This document discusses how blockchain technology could impact the music industry by helping artists monetize their work better and reach new audiences. It outlines several potential benefits for artists, such as self-publishing their music and setting rules for how it can be used, as well as instantly collecting data and payments for transactions. However, it also notes challenges like getting all relevant industry players on board with a single database format and concerns about how blockchain may impact user-generated content and not solve piracy issues.

1. BLOCKCHAIN
ARTISTS & DATA

2. THE MILLION BITCOIN QUESTIONS
Will Blockchain technology help monetise Music better?
Will Blockchain technology help Artists reach new audiences?

3. IS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY A BROKEN LEDGER?
NO
COMMENTS

4. IS THE DREAM A UNIQUE DECENTRALIZED
LEDGER ?
Would it be utopic if we could we ensure that :
• Creators and Rights Holders are always identified?
• All transactions are tracked and recorded?
• Artists are always properly remunerated for their music?

5. SYSTEMS ARTISTS HAVE TO FACE TO GET
PAID
The Music Industry is actually the sum over the last century of
many micro-industries operating independently.
Artists are still facing a very complex business model whenever
a very simple transaction involving their music takes place
(download, stream, broadcast…)

6. IS THAT MAZE REALLY NECESSARY?

7. IN WHICH WORLD WILL BLOCKCHAIN EVOLVE?
THE REIGN OF THE DSPs:
Will music still be discovered and consumed on 3rd party
platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Pandora ….)?
THE D2C DREAM:
Will Artist and fans only interact directly in a giant D2C
Market?

8. MAYBE A BIT OF BOTH ?
The way Blockchain is actually used by Artists will vary over
time but for now the world of DSPs and a giant D2C are
compatible.
There is little doubt that Blockchain could slowly help
eliminate the intermediaries but it’s a bit early to discuss the
revolution that will lead to the death of all intermediaries
(Labels, Distributors, Publishers …)

9. THE ABILITY TO SELF-PUBLISH
The first thing that Blockchain will allow Artists to do is:
• self-publish their music and
• set the rules as to how and where their music can be
enjoyed, streamed, purchased, licensed, synched
This ability will be compatible with both models of
consumption (D2C, 3rd Party Platforms).

10. THE ABILITY TO COLLECT DATA AND INCOME
The second attribute of Blockchain is to allow the Artist or
content owner to instantly retrieve the data and income for
every transaction involving their Music.
This ability will be compatible with both models of
consumption (D2C, 3rd Party Platforms).

11. WHO CAN START USING BLOCKCHAIN?
As soon as Blockchain Data is integrated to delivery and
distribution systems, the firsts Artists to be able to benefit from it
will be Independent and self-released.
The first generation to benefit from Blockchain would be Artists
who are:
• Unsigned
• In full control of their catalogs (at least futures)
• Have written all theirs songs alone (and/or be the publisher of their co-
writers)
• Be Unpublished or Self-published

12. THE UNIQUE DECENTRALIZED DATABASE
What defines the Blockchain is a central, unique and independent
ledger.
In theory, before the Music Industry can enjoy such central
database, the following parties would need to get together and
agree on the database’s format and how it’s operated (and most
importantly by whom)
• All Independent Publishers
• Performing Rights Societies
• Neighbouring Rights Societies
• All Major Labels
• All Independent Labels via Merlin
• All Major Publishers

13. WILL THE UNIQUE DATABASE EVER EXIST?
The last attempt was called The Global Repertoire Database.
An ambitious attempt to build a single online copyright and
information portal for all musical works.
It collapsed after six years and £8m in investment.
It feels like mission impossible….

14. IS THAT TRUE ?
We might not need to wait for the Unique Database to exist.
When simplified, Blockchain is a:
• Distribution Channel & Delivery System
• Sets The Rules defined by the Artists
• Register of all Transactions
• Royalty distribution tool
• A Public record

15. WHEN CAN ARTISTS START USING
BLOCKCHAIN?
Some companies like Revelator have started to
integrate Blockchain in their digital distribution
platforms.
It means that Music Companies such as Marathon Artists
who often have 360 deals and control the publishing should
soon be eligible to start using Blockchain too.
Imogen Heap has also started with Mycelia by
integrating the Ethereum blockchain which she
uses for the release of her single “Tiny Human”

16. CAN APIs SPEED THINGS UP?
Do we really need to wait for a unique central database?
If Blockchain is implemented as a delivery system and used
as a way of pulling data and income back to rights holders
from DSPs via the existing APIs, all digital distribution
services should be able to use this technology

17. THE PROs FOR THE ARTISTS
Compiled with Matt Weiss
• Easy and cheap way to register masters and copyrights
• Free Royalty system where all parties can get directly paid for
their registered contribution or share (producer, featured artists,
songwriters)
• Free Licensing system
• Cashflow as transactions are instantaneous (rather than awaiting
semesters)
• Will enhance what fans can directly do to support the artist they
love (Simplified form or Crowd Funding - Pledge) : Crowd
Investing
• Via the Blockchain, Fans can be remunerated for the promotional
work they do for the Artist

18. THE CONs FOR THE ARTISTS

19. THE PROs FOR THE INDUSTRY
• Many custom apps can be built on top of Blockchain
• Creates new form of value (R.T.B Advertising, Fan Promotion and
Crowd Investing…)
• Potentially elimites unnecessary intermediaries. Blockchain
provides DRM without the middle man
• By Controlling “Editions”, Blockchain would introduce digital
scarcity in the same way a limited edition vinyl LP
creates excitement amongst fans

20. The CONs FOR THE INDUSTRY
• It will make UGC complicated (unless allowed by the Rules sets
by content creators)
• Algorithms don’t understand Fair Use - Parody
• Doesn’t solve piracy
• Information can be hidden or corrupted by Hackers
• Accountability
• Liability

21. THANK YOU
Jimmy Mikaoui
jm@marathonartists.com
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