Winner of Meet Share Question's inaugural showcase
In the age of AI-generated content, creating assets has never been easier—or more vulnerable. At MMT's first Meet Share Question event, Alberto Ferioli tackled a question that's becoming increasingly urgent for agencies: how do we protect the intellectual property we create?
The Problem
With tools like Midjourney, ChatGPT, DALL-E, and countless other AI platforms at our fingertips, generating images, logos, and creative assets takes minutes instead of days. But this ease brings a significant challenge: what happens when clients use our assets outside agreed terms? How do we prove ownership when disputes arise?
For agencies, this isn't just technical—it's business-critical. Misuse of assets can lead to legal complications, lost revenue, and damaged client relationships.
A Blockchain Solution
Alberto's winning concept proposes an innovative three-layer approach:
AI Generation Layer: Whether creating with AI tools or traditional software like Photoshop and Illustrator, assets begin here.
Blockchain Registration: Each asset gets "hashed" (converted into a unique digital fingerprint) and registered on the blockchain, creating an immutable timestamp and permanent "passport ID."
Smart Contracts: Programmatic rules define how assets can be used—duration, platforms, terms—all automated without manual legal intervention.
The result? A certificate of ownership that serves as proof of creation and terms.
Why Blockchain?
Blockchain technology offers key advantages for agencies:
Decentralised: No single entity controls the records. Your proof of ownership can't disappear when a system goes down.
Immutable: Once registered, assets cannot be deleted or altered. "Five years from now, not even me will be able to delete or manipulate what has been printed on the blockchain," Alberto explained.
Transparent: Clear ownership trails benefit both agencies and clients.
Automated: Smart contracts trigger actions automatically—like invoicing when clients select assets or alerts when usage terms expire.
The Demo (Featuring One Ugly Dog)
In his proof of concept, Alberto showcased the system’s simplicity with a Next.js web app linked to the blockchain through a digital wallet (using MetaMask to handle the connection and transactions).
For those interested in the tech: Built using modern web technologies—including React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS—and powered by Solidity smart contracts deployed on Polygon's test network, the app combines a familiar user interface with secure blockchain logic behind the scenes.
He uploaded an image — the now-famous "ugly dog" — and within seconds the system:
Generated a unique digital fingerprint, checked it against the blockchain, registered the asset with a timestamp, and issued certificates as proof of ownership.
For those interested in the tech: Once the upload began, the system immediately generated a unique hash—a digital fingerprint of the file. Before proceeding, it checked the blockchain to confirm that this fingerprint hadn't been registered before. If the asset was truly new, the app recorded it immutably on the blockchain, complete with a timestamp to mark its moment of creation. Finally, the system issued two downloadable certificates, one in PDF and one in JSON format, serving as verifiable proof of ownership and registration.
Here’s the clever bit:
Try to upload the same image again, and the system blocks it — because the hash already exists on the blockchain.
Change even one pixel, and the hash becomes completely different, allowing registration as a new unique asset.
This proves definitively when an original asset was created and by whom.
Real-World Applications
For Designers: Working in Figma? Click a button, get instant blockchain registration. Your work now has unique DNA attached to it.
For Client Libraries: Clients browse your assets and select what they need. Smart contracts automatically generate invoices and set usage parameters—no middleman required.
For Usage Control: Commission imagery for a six-month web campaign, and the smart contract tracks this automatically, alerting both parties when terms approach expiration.
The Path Forward
Alberto was honest about limitations: "Maybe it doesn't give us the fully legal rights. But it's a starting point." This system creates robust proof of creation, supporting—not replacing—proper legal agreements. The team envisions developing it as a web application, Chrome extension, or Figma plugin, integrating seamlessly with existing workflows. The goal isn't adding bureaucracy—it's adding protection so seamlessly that creators barely notice.
Why This Matters
As AI makes content creation exponentially faster, the volume of assets we produce will only increase. Without systems to track and protect this work, we risk ownership disputes becoming the norm.
Alberto's blockchain solution offers a glimpse of how technology can solve problems that technology itself creates—and why it earned him the win at Meet Share Question.
Want to explore how AI can transform your creative workflow? Reach out to our AI-empowered teams. Meet Share Question returns next month.
