Innovative tools change the way music is created, adapting to virtual life

A new tool is changing the way music artists and creators remix their favorite songs to fit our increasingly virtual lifestyle.

KOR Protocol is a decentralized intellectual property (IP) platform designed to help creators protect their works and monetize them. The platform opened to global creators and developers on September 26.

With the support of several well-known web3 participants, the KOR Protocol utilizes blockchain technology to provide a scalable and transparent IP management system.

Starting this week, developers worldwide will be able to access the KOR Player software development kit (SDK) to install and use the protocol. This marks the end of the era of traditional recording methods.

With KOR Player, friends and creators can collaborate to turn music into game soundtracks, fan remixes, and other content. KOR Protocol is a sophisticated tool that integrates licensed music and other content into virtual environments without violating copyright rules.

KOR Protocol and its parent company Pixelynx report that over 600,000 users have participated in related projects, including Pixelynx's AI music platform KORUS and Netflix's "Black Mirror" "Smiling Club" experience. The latter sold out in less than three hours in February 2024, minting approximately 285,000 NFTs and generating $1.5 million in revenue.

Pixelynx's CEO Inder Phull leads the company and its various operations alongside electronic music artists Joel "Deadmau5" Zimmerman and Richie "Plastikman" Hawtin. Phull is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry.

To gain a deeper understanding of how KOR Protocol is driving this development, we spoke with Phull to discuss how it works, its potential impact on digital copyright, and his views on the future of the entertainment industry.

Q: How would you explain what Pixelynx does in one or two sentences?

Answer: We are building an entertainment ecosystem that allows IP holders to put their IP on the blockchain and grow together with different applications and communities. We place great emphasis on the creator experience and believe this can enable fans and creators to co-create with their favorite IPs.

Q: How do you define the metaverse?

Answer: The metaverse is the future of the internet and entertainment. It integrates technologies such as blockchain, identity tools, and gaming, making the internet more immersive. With web3 bringing new forms of ownership, the metaverse has become a brand new business model. Overall, it is related to immersion and ownership.

Q: Do you think musicians, especially electronic musicians, are ready for this technology?

Answer: Music absolutely needs this solution. The income from music is far lower than that from movies or games. COVID has exposed the vulnerability of the industry. NFTs provide artists with new ways to directly publish content to fans and allocate value creatively, whether through rewards or by offering other benefits to early supporters.

Q: Can NFTs really improve or replace the streaming model?

A: I don't think NFTs will replace streaming, but they can complement it. NFTs can help artists sell digital wearables, experiences, or other content. Streaming faces challenges like royalty models and transparency, which require a transformation of the entire industry, not just NFTs.

Q: Can you talk about the experience of "Black Mirror" and how it serves as a proof of concept for the KOR protocol?

Answer: That is a very interesting project. We created the Smile Club, which is a parallel universe where users must smile every day to be on the whitelist. Over 200,000 people participated, and we sold 7,000 NFTs in two and a half hours. Those who have a Smile Pass can participate in tasks and challenges, and the community drives the storyline. We are currently working on the second season, where people can shape characters in the "Black Mirror: Smile Club" universe.

Q: How does the KOR protocol achieve all of this?

Answer: The KOR protocol is an on-chain IP infrastructure for the complete lifecycle management of IP. Creators can register IP, set rules and permissions, and achieve collaboration. This is a transparent permission management system that can expand the IP in any way the holder desires.

Q: How does the creator compensation work? Is the license legally recognized?

Answer: Royalties are paid in cryptocurrency through smart contracts but can be converted into fiat currency. We will also launch a royalty token as part of the core mechanism. The licenses are based on traditional licensing agreements and are legally recognized.

Question: What advice do you have for creators who are just starting to explore web3?

Answer: Find your community. Web3 is built on community, and communities are typically welcoming spaces. Participate, try out products, and collect your first NFT. Once you find your place, the opportunities are endless.