Method and system for securing computer software using a distributed hash table and a blockchain
A computer-implemented method ( 100 ) and system ( 1 ) for determining a metadata M for securing a controlled digital resource such as computer software using a distributed hash table ( 13 ) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger ( 14 ). This is a blockchain such as the Bitcoin blockchain. The method includes determining ( 110 ) a data associated with the computer software and determining ( 120 ) a first hash value based on the computer software. A second hash value based on the data and the computer software may be determined ( 130 ). The method further includes sending 140 , over a communications network ( 5 ), the data, the first hash value and the second hash value to an entry for storage in a distributed hash table ( 13 ). The second hash value may be a key of a key-value pair. The data and the first hash value may be a value in the key-value pair. A metadata (M) that is based on the second hash value may be determined ( 150 ) for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger ( 14 ).
1. A computer-implemented method for securing a controlled digital resource using a distributed hash table and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger, the method comprising:
determining a data (D1) associated with the controlled digital resource;
determining a first hash value (H1) of the controlled digital resource;
determining a second hash value (H2) based on the data (D1) and the controlled digital resource, wherein the data (D1) comprises a license associated with the controlled digital resource;
sending, over a communications network, the data (D1), the first hash value (H1) and the second hash value (H2) to an entry for storage in a distributed hash table, wherein the second hash value (H2) is a key of a key-value pair and the data (D1) and the first hash value (H1) are a value in the key-value pair;
determining a metadata (M) comprising the second hash value (H2) for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger;
determining a first redeem script (RS1), wherein the first redeem script is based on:
the metadata (M);
an agent public key (PA) associated with an agent (A); and
sending, over the communications network, a first data output (01) for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger based on:
an indication of a first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) to be transferred, wherein the first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) is associated with the first redeem script (RS1); and
the first redeem script (RS1);
determining an identifier indicative of a location of the controlled digital resource or the license;
assigning the identifier to the value in the key-value pair; and
sending, over the communications network, the identifier to the entry on the distributed hash table.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the controlled digital resource is computer software.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the license is associated with a first user (U1) or a second user (U2) and further comprises a first user public key (PU1) associated with the first user (U1) or a second user public key (PU2) associated with the second user (U2).
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the license further comprises a hash value associated with at least one electronic device of the first user (U1) or the second user (U2).
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the license further comprises the first hash value (H1).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the license comprises a top hash value of a Merkle tree.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a second redeem script (RS2), wherein the second redeem script (RS2) is based on:
the metadata (M);
the agent public key (PA) associated with the agent (A); and
a first user public key (PU1) associated with a first user (U1); and
sending, over a second communications network, a second data output (O2) to the peer-to-peer distributed ledger based on:
an indication that a first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) from first data output (01) is to be transferred; and
the second redeem script (RS2).
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cryptocurrency is Bitcoin.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the peer-to-peer distributed ledger is a Bitcoin blockchain.
10. A computer-implemented method of determining the location of a controlled digital resource or license, the method comprising:
determining a metadata (M) for securing a controlled digital resource in accordance with the method of claim 1 ;
determining an identifier indicative of the location of the controlled digital resource or the license;
assigning the identifier to the value in the key-value pair;
sending, over the communications network, the identifier to the entry on the distributed hash table;
determining the metadata (M) from the first redeem script (RS1);
retrieving the second hash value (H2) from the metadata (M);
sending, over the communications network, the second hash value (H2) to a processor associated with a participating node of the distributed hash table;
determining, from the processor of the participating node, the identifier indicative of the location of the controlled digital resource or license;
determining a first redeem script (RS1), wherein the first redeem script is based on:
the metadata (M); and
an agent public key (PA) associated with an agent (A); and
sending, over the communications network, a first data output (01) for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger based on:
an indication of a first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) to be transferred, wherein the first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) is associated with the first redeem script (RS1); and
the first redeem script (RS1).
11. A computer software program comprising machine-readable instructions, that when executed by a processing device comprising a processor and memory, cause the processing device to implement the method of claim 1 .
12. A computer system operative to secure a controlled digital resource, the system comprising a processing device associated with a node, configured to:
determine a data (D1) associated with the controlled digital resource;
determine a first hash value (H1) of the controlled digital resource;
determine a second hash value (H2) based on the data (D1) and the controlled digital resource, wherein the data (D1) comprises a license associated with the controlled digital resource;
send, over a communications network, the data (D1), the first hash value (H1) and the second hash value (H2) to an entry for storage in a distributed hash table, wherein the second hash value (H2) is a key of a key-value pair and the data (D1) and the first hash value (H1) are a value in the key-value pair;
determine a metadata (M) comprising the second hash value (H2);
determine a first redeem script (RS1), wherein the first redeem script is based on:
the metadata (M); and
an agent public key (PA) associated with an agent (A);
send, over the communications network, a first data output (01) for storage on a peer-to-peer distributed ledger based on:
an indication of a first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) to be transferred, wherein the first quantity of cryptocurrency (C1) is associated with the first redeem script (RS1); and
the first redeem script (RS1determine an identifier indicative of a location of the controlled digital resource or the license;
assign the identifier to the value in the key-value pair; and
send, over the communications network, the identifier to the entry on the distributed hash table.