Does Publishing My Content To The STEEM Blockchain Validate My Ownership Of It?
I've had a burning question for some time now and think I know the overall answer, but also feel it's a good question for debate here on Steemit, so here's what I'm wondering in a nutshell:
When I publish my content on Steemit, and subsequently the STEEM Blockchain, does doing so validate my ownership of that content?
The details are fairly simple. the content was published to a public, completely verifiable social media account that only I have the signing keys to. When the content was published, the time and dates are established. Something on the STEEM Blockchain never goes away and can be referenced to fairly easily.
The reason I'm having these questions is that recently I've thrown my hat into the literature / crowdfunding ring and very much want to comparison test the crowdfunding of a book on Steemit as opposed to the others I've tried like Indiegogo and Kickstarter.
Maybe the best way to get the main point across is to illustrate an example. Let's say I spent 80 days writing 1000 words at a crack toward a complete short novel here on Steemit. Three months down the road, I have 80,000 words published and have made whatever Steemit based rewards the community had decided over time that I deserved.
Being the serial entrepreneur that I am, let's assume I decided to swing on over to Kindle Direct Publishing and release my insanity to the masses. I paste everything in and when I click publish, the good folks at KDP come back with a duplicate content statement and refuse to publish my work.
What are my options in this situation?
For me, I feel the most comforting thought is that Amazon has a gaggle of smart people working over there. It's not like they're going to come back with; Huh? Blockchain, what's that, when I submit a support request about someone plagiarizing my content?
The fact that I have verifiable proof that the story involved was published by myself over a year ago and can be backed up by simply querying the STEEM Blockchain should be enough to convince them I'm not just some crazy person randomly claiming ownership over someone else's written word.
Since we're talking about Amazon, it should be pointed out that they have absolutely zero tolerance for any type of plagiarism or copyright infringement and will close an account and keep all monies involved if they see proof of any trickery. I've known a few over the years that have gotten on the wrong side of Amazon and believe me, they don't return your calls once they've decided to shut you down.
Full disclosure: this hasn't happened in any way and is totally hypothetical. No one has stolen any of my content and the intention behind this post is to ask a question and spark debate over whether or not a blockchain is verifiable proof of content ownership.
No it doesn't
I've seen people steal my own memes and get way more upvotes and I down vote then but I'm Small fish compared.
I guess on Steemit you could have the power of the community on your side if you chose to prove it. In my example, I guess there would be an entity to complain to, Amazon. I can't believe these ass hats are stealing your graphics :(
It's not like super common but yes it happens. I used to flag and down vote when it did but I generally save my voting power for only upvoting good content instead. Something will have to come into effect at some point for this issuie besides down voting
There will never be an absolute power judging this stuff which is some ways can be good for freedom but at this point this site is 50% copycats
Very intriguing question.
Steemit doesn't allow, or at least will send cheetah or steemcleaners, your way if possible copy/paste evident... and Amazon has copyright searches... so who owns what we post?
Never gave it much thought until now. I believe if you prove to Amazon that you are owner/publisher of original work then it could be published. But is it worth hassle? I know when you publish a free read on KDP they usually make you check box that you won't offer free on another site for 90 days.
I don't shop Amazon anymore... too political and I rather shop local small businesses now.
That's true, you can't publish something you offered for free on KDP elsewhere.
That is actually a good question.
I'd like to know the answers.
Authors I've invited to Steemit have declined, fearing that Steemit owns whatever they post here.
Your scenario is exactly what they fear: what if I publish my novella one chapter at a time on steemit, then go KDP at amazon with it - it's mine right? Right?
No, I'm very clear on who owns rights to my content - me, end of story. I was referring to if someone copy and pasted my story into KDP before me and whether or not being able to prove that I was the originator of that content using the blockchain as evidence. Once it's on the blockchain, it doesn't go away and the date/times are not changeable either. I control the signing keys and can prove I'm the owner of the @vegascomic account here on Steemit.
This is an important question and I want to acknowledge people having concerns. At the same time since I have a day job I don't currently have financial concerns related to making a living as a writer, so I'll admit to feeling more chill about that.
I like this your perspective. I was thinking exactly the same thing about the embedded validation concept for the content. I'm no judge (except of other people's behaviour) but I would say yes, being published on the blockchain is about the best and most immutable and solid evidence we can imagine.
To me that suggests it has an importance that may be quite beyond the monetary reward. I've heard even "best-selling authors" don't make that much from writing, compared to the work that goes in. It'll always be a labour of love, no?
I'm also engaged with heart-brain coherence as a personal study and plan to be publishing on Steemit also about that. Still learning my way around.
Ciao for now, maybe see you around in the Steemosphere.
elderchild