IPFS-blockchain-based authenticity of online publications

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a solution to provide originality and authenticity of published and posted freely online digital content such as books, music, and movies. Our solution utilizes a blend of newly emerging technologies that primary include (InterPlanetary File System) IPFS and blockchain smart contracts. IPFS is used to store digital content with a high integrity and global accessibility to all, and Ethereum smart contract is used to govern, manage, and provide traceability and visibility into the history of digital content from its origin to the latest version, in a manner that is decentralized and globally accessed with high integrity, resiliency, and transparency. In the paper, our solution is focused on online book publication, but the solution can be a framework that can be easily extendible and adoptable for, to other digital and multimedia content. The full code of our smart contract is provided, with discussion on implementation and testing of its key functionalities.