Digital identifiers and digital identifier control systems for intellectual properties

摘要

A method and system thereof for controlling intellectual properties in an intellectual property management system. A unique digital identifier is assigned to each of the intellectual properties. The digital identifier includes an attribute associating a respective intellectual property to the intellectual property management system and an attribute specifying a source for the digital identifier. One class of digital identifier is assigned to all known instantiations of the respective intellectual property. A second class of digital identifies assigns a unique digital identifier to each specific instantiation of a respective intellectual property. The digital identifiers are stored in a registry. The digital identifier may also be embedded within the intellectual property, or it may be inscribed within a document or element which accompanies, proceeds, follows, or is otherwise related to the intellectual property. Characteristics and meta-data are also assigned to the intellectual property for searching, tracking, classifying and understanding the intellectual property.