IP Sentinel: A Decentralized Blockchain–IPFS Fabric for Secure Intellectual Asset Lineage and Ownership Proof

Abstract

The increasing digitization of Intellectual Property (IP) assets across industries such as technology, research, pharmaceuticals, and digital innovation has intensified the need for secure document protection and reliable ownership verification mechanisms. As IP documents are stored and transmitted in digital form, they become vulnerable to unauthorized access, tampering, identity misuse, and ownership disputes. Traditional IP management systems rely on manual documentation, unsecured storage, and basic authentication, lacking strong cryptographic protection, structured access control, and proper audit mechanisms, which increases the risk of data breaches and manipulation. To address these challenges, this project proposes an IP Document Protection System with Ownership Verification that integrates secure workflow management with advanced cryptographic techniques. The system is developed using Python and the Flask web framework, with Tiny Database (TinyDB) for structured metadata storage. It employs Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) for secure key generation and shared key derivation, along with Advanced Encryption Standard–Galois/Counter Mode (AES-GCM) to ensure confidentiality and data integrity. A Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanism is implemented to enforce secure authorization, allowing only permitted users such as IP generators, patent registrars, and patent owners to access or modify system resources. Session management and activity logging further enhance traceability and accountability. Additionally, the system integrates decentralized storage using Pinata to store document metadata and transaction records on the Inter Planetary File System (IPFS). Each stored record generates a unique content-addressable hash, enabling tamper-proof storage and independent verification through public gateways. This reduces reliance on centralized systems and improves data availability. The system ensures secure document handling, controlled access through RBAC, and transparent ownership verification, providing a scalable and reliable solution for protecting digital IP assets.