A new approach to AI and intellectual property
Story Protocol and OpenLedger announced something interesting this week. They’re creating a standard that lets AI systems use creative work legally while paying the people who own it. I think this addresses a real problem that’s been brewing for a while now.
When you look at how AI companies have been training their models, there’s been this tension. They need massive amounts of data, but creators want to be compensated. It’s not just about money, really—it’s about control. Once your work gets swallowed up by an AI system, tracking what happens to it becomes nearly impossible.
How the system actually works
Here’s what they’re proposing. Intellectual property registered on Story Protocol can be licensed specifically for AI training. That’s the first part. Then OpenLedger, which they describe as an AI-native blockchain, handles the enforcement side. It makes sure those licenses are respected within AI systems and handles payments to rights holders.
They’re building what they call a shared onchain standard. This records who owns the work, how it can be used, and who gets paid. The idea is to create a clear trail that everyone can see. Perhaps that transparency is what’s been missing from previous attempts at solving this problem.
The legal landscape is changing
The timing here matters. Lawsuits related to AI and intellectual property have been increasing throughout 2025. Many of these cases center on who owns what when AI uses creative work. Once something gets used in training data, tracking its influence becomes complicated. Creators often find they have little recourse.
Meanwhile, the global intellectual property market itself keeps growing. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2025 Global Innovation Index, it’s now estimated to be worth more than $80 trillion. That includes both digital rights and real-world data. That’s a huge market that needs some structure.
A shift in thinking
One representative from OpenLedger put it this way: “AI cannot scale on scraped data and legal ambiguity.” They argue that if intelligence is becoming economic infrastructure, then intellectual property must be respected, traceable, and monetized by default. That’s a strong statement, but I’m not sure everyone in the AI industry would agree.
The companies say their system ensures AI models only use material they’re licensed to access. Usage can be checked after the fact too. They describe this as a shift from “train now, litigate later” to “use only what you can prove you’re allowed to use.” That sounds good in theory, but implementation will be the real test.
It’s worth noting that both companies’ tokens saw some declines around the announcement. Story Protocol’s IP token was down about 9% over 24 hours, though it still showed gains over the past month. OpenLedger’s OPEN token was down around 7% on the day. Market reactions can be unpredictable, of course.
What strikes me is that this partnership tries to bridge two worlds that have often been at odds. The AI development community needs data to build better models. Creators want fair compensation and control over their work. Maybe this standard could provide a middle ground. But standards only work if enough people adopt them. We’ll have to see if other players in the space decide to participate.
