name	ip-attribution
description	A human-centered system for attributing creative contributions across any medium, where containers provide structure and conversations determine value
metadata	[object Object]

IP Attribution System

Attribution is a conversation between creators about contribution and intention.

Overview

A human-centered system for attributing creative contributions across any medium, where containers provide structure and conversations determine value.

The Deepest Why: Mattering Without Money

While this system enables fair payment, its deeper function is making creative contribution visible. A teenager making their first beat can see it travel the world, even if it never earns a cent. A grandmother sharing a family song can watch it inspire remixes across continents.

The system says: "Your creativity matters, here's the proof" - not through dollars but through visible connection and continuation.

Core Beliefs

Humans declare contribution - not algorithms
Anyone can be a contributor - people, places, AI, communities, vibes
Attribution ≠ Payment - credit everyone, pay who you can
Intentions guide remixing - licensing as creative conversation
Communities shape the system - not vice versa

Essential Concepts

Work

Something created that carries its story of creation.

Attribution

A declaration: "This contributed to this work."

WHO: Any entity (person, place, thing, idea)
WHAT: Their contribution (decided by creators)
HOW MUCH: Their share (human judgment)

TBD Attribution

Crediting someone not yet present in the system.

Reserve their attribution
Hold their share if any
They can claim later
Or it remains as historical record

Intentions (Creative Licensing)

How creators hope their work lives on.

"Free for all uses"
"Sacred - please contact first"
"No commercial use without discussion"
"AI training OK with attribution"
"Would love to hear what you make!"

These are conversations, not legal barriers.

Inheritance

How new works relate to previous works.

Default: 50/50 between original and new
Always negotiable by humans
Creates attribution chains/trees
Respects original intentions

The Mechanical Layer

The 50/50 Split Principle

Every content type has two halves:

IDEA (Composition/Concept) = 100% of idea pie
IMPLEMENTATION (Recording/Execution) = 100% of implementation pie
Each pie = 50% of that content type's total value

Content Type Modularity

Works can contain multiple separable content types:

Music (melody/lyrics + recording)
Video (concept + filming/editing)
Dance (choreography + performance)

Like TikTok - someone can take just your audio, or just your dance.

The Two Economies: Creation vs Curation

Economy 1: Transformation (Remixes)

Sources contribute to new work's IP
Creator gets commission (20%), not ownership
IP inheritance flows through
Pays license fee upfront

Example: Producer remixes two loops

Original creators: 80% (40% each)
Remix producer: 20% commission

Economy 2: Curation (DJ Mixes, Playlists)

NO IP inheritance
Curator gets discovery commission (20%)
Original creators keep 80%
Can earn from ongoing discovery

Example: DJ creates fire mix

When mix sells: DJ 20%, originals 80%
When originals sell via discovery: DJ gets referral

Why This Distinction Matters

Creation = Making something new (deserves commission)
Curation = Finding gems (deserves discovery fee)
Both valuable, different contributions

Emergent Business Models

The Instant Record Label

Anyone can become a label through curation:

Create account with label identity
Curate playlists and artists
Feature in your store
Earn 20% on discoveries
No contracts needed

The Artist Strategy Flip

Old: Seek ONE label deal New: Appear in MANY curator stores

10 stores = 10 audiences
10 revenue streams
Keep all rights
Cooperation over competition

AI Collaboration

AI as Contributor

Like any contributor, AI can be credited:

Declare AI's contribution percentage
Humans decide, not calculated
Revenue typically stays with humans (who pay for AI)
Attribution for transparency, not payment

AI Training Permissions

Artists set preferences:

"No AI training"
"Training OK with attribution"
"Training OK with fee"
"Academic only"

Why Attribute AI?

Transparency (audiences deserve to know)
Cultural documentation
Legal protection
Community norms emerge

Templates (Conversation Starters)

Creation

Solo Creator - "I made this"
Equal Partners - "We're all in this together"
Weighted - "We contributed differently"
Community + Individual - "Traditional song, modern recording"
AI Collaboration - "Me and Claude made this"

Intentions

Open Garden - "Plant seeds freely"
Sacred Ground - "Tread respectfully"
Fair Trade - "Share alike"
Gift Economy - "Keep creating, forget money"

Real Examples

The Restaurant

"Midnight Masala"

Asha: 40% (melody, lyrics)
Dev: 40% (production)
Indian Kitchen: 20% (where every hook was born)

Sacred Remix

Traditional Lakota song:

Marked: "Sacred - contact first"
Remixer reaches out
Agreement: 40% to Pine Ridge Foundation
New work honors tradition

The Vibe Credit

"Summer Sessions EP"

Band: 80%
Jamie: 10% (kept everyone laughing)
Beach House: 10% (where we recorded)

Platform Context

This attribution system is Layer 1 of a three-layer architecture:

Layer 1: Attribution (this system)
Layer 2: Visualization (see your impact)
Layer 3: Creative toys (DJ mixer, cultural interfaces)

The attribution must be solid because everything builds on it.

Key Principles

Simplicity Over Complexity - Basic containers, human decisions
Attribution Over Calculation - Declare, don't measure
Conversation Over Contract - Negotiate, don't dictate
Evolution Over Perfection - Let communities shape the system
Everyone Matters - From Navajo grandmother to 14-year-old in Canada

Implementation Status

✅ Built: Gen 1 Remix System

50/50 IP inheritance
Smart contract payment distribution
Up to 7 contributors per side

📝 Planned: Curation Economy

Playlists with 20% commission
Discovery referral tracking
Creator stores as labels

ip-attribution

Install Skill

SKILL.md