System and process for tokenization of digital media

Abstract

A system and process for converting a digital media file into a digital token is disclosed. The embodiments modify a digital media file so that a set of rules are attached to the digital media file creating a digital token, which can be used to persist the digital media file through a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network is a distributed ledger or blockchain based network that securely tracks distribution of the digital media file. The digital token may have a value added to it or value may intrinsically exist as the digital token is persisted through the network. The value associated with distribution of the digital media file may be used to reward the owner of the digital media file, distributors of the token, or as an incentive program for commercial transactions and non-commercial transactions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for tokenization of digital media, comprising:
 a digital token configured for persisted distribution within an electronic distributed ledger, the digital token including:
 a digital media file, 
 a set of stored rules attached to the digital media file, the set of stored rules including a distributed ledger protocol and conditions that define a change in status associated with the digital media file as the digital token is distributed within the electronic distributed ledger, and 
   a host server configured to update the status of the digital token within the distributed ledger in response to a detected change in status of the digital token and broadcast an update of the digital token to the electronic distributed ledger.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stored rules in the digital indicate a change of status of the digital token in response to transfer or access to the digital media file from a first party in the electronic distributed ledger to a second party in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of stored rules in the digital token include a cryptographic hash function. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the cryptographic hash function includes a public and private key pair. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the change in status of the digital token includes a use of the digital media file. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the change in status of the digital token includes a change in monetary value of the digital token. 
     
     
         7 . A method for distributing a digital media file within an electronic distributed ledger, comprising:
 generating a digital token associated with the digital media file, comprising a set of stored rules attached to the digital media file, the set of stored rules including a distributed ledger protocol and conditions that define a change in status associated with the digital media file as the digital token is distributed within the electronic distributed ledger;   distributing, by a computer processor, the digital token within the electronic distributed ledger;   identifying, by a computer processor, an update to a status of the digital media file within the electronic distributed ledger;   modifying, by the computer processor, the status of the digital token in response to the identified updated status of the digital media file; and   broadcasting by a host server, to the electronic distributed ledger, the modified status of the digital token.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising generating a cryptographic hash function associated with the digital token, the hash function tracking changes to the status of the digital media file. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hash function tracks the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising automatically changing a monetary value associated with the digital token based on the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing a monetary value associated with the digital token to parties distributing the digital token based on the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         12 . A computer program product for hosting an online portal for the tokenization of a digital media file, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code being configured, when executed by a computer processor, to:
 generate a digital token associated with the digital media file, comprising a set of stored rules attached to the digital media file, the set of stored rules including a distributed ledger protocol and conditions that define a change in status associated with the digital media file as the digital token is distributed within the electronic distributed ledger;   distribute, by a computer processor, the digital token within the electronic distributed ledger;   identify, by a computer processor, an update to a status of the digital media file within the electronic distributed ledger;   modify, by the computer processor, the status of the digital token in response to the identified updated status of the digital media file; and   broadcast by a host server, to the electronic distributed ledger, the modified status of the digital token.   
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further comprising computer readable program code being configured to generate a cryptographic hash function associated with the digital token, the hash function tracking changes to the status of the digital media file. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the hash function tracks the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 14 , further comprising computer readable program code being configured to automatically changing a monetary value associated with the digital token based on the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 12 , further comprising computer readable program code being configured to providing a monetary value associated with the digital token to parties distributing the digital token based on the number of times the digital media file has been used or transferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger.