The visible subtitler: Blockchain technology towards right management and minting

Area of Science:

• Audiovisual Studies
• Media Law
• Digital Humanities

Background:

• Subtitles are created via diverse workflows, from automated to human-driven processes, including hybrid human-machine interactions.
• Current understanding of subtitle copyright is limited, often classifying them as derivative works, with varying creative scope between same-language and interlingual subtitles.
• Creative subtitles are increasingly integrated as narrative elements, necessitating copyright protection for their aesthetic and storytelling contributions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complexities of subtitle copyright, particularly for creative subtitling.
• To investigate the application of blockchain technology in copyright management for subtitlers.
• To gather insights from professional subtitlers on current practices and potential solutions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on subtitling copyright.
• Description of centralized and decentralized copyright management models.
• Application of blockchain technology for subtitler identification.
• Conducting a focus group with expert professional subtitlers.

Main Results:

• Subtitle copyright is jurisdiction-dependent, contrasting with the borderless nature of subtitling workflows and media distribution.
• Blockchain technology shows potential for enhancing subtitle traceability.
• The findings suggest blockchain can support rights management and media sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Blockchain offers a conceptual framework to improve subtitle traceability, benefiting beyond copyright management.
• Enhanced traceability can support the reuse and repurposing of media assets, contributing to media sustainability.
• Addressing subtitle copyright is crucial given the globalized nature of media production and distribution.