Blockchain Startup Lisk Joins Square-Backed Crypto Open Patent Alliance
Open-source blockchain application platform Lisk has joined the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA) to help bolster innovation within the blockchain community.
Founded in 2016, Lisk’s goal is to make blockchain technology accessible for everyone. Its software development kit (SDK) allows developers to build blockchain applications in JavaScript, the world’s most widely used programming language. The Lisk network is operated using a highly efficient Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) consensus algorithm, which is secured by democratically elected delegates and maintains a significantly lower energy consumption than Proof of Work networks such as bitcoin.
COPA, which was developed by Jack Dorsey, the founder of Square, offers patent pools in the blockchain space, having grown its membership to encompass more than 18 influential members of the blockchain community, including Coinbase, Kraken and Square. In combining their cryptocurrency-related patents, COPA members create a patent library, designed to directly combat offensive use of patents which stifle innovation and industry growth.
As a member of the alliance, Lisk will make a pledge to never use their crypto patents against anyone, except for defensive purposes, making these patents free for all to use. Lisk’s blockchain interoperability solution, which is set to be released to the open source community on May 21 at Lisk.js, will operate without the need for an existing patent. Lisk keeps its options open to be able to register patents for all other relevant Lisk protocols that require a patent in order to protect the technology’s accessibility among the open-source community.
“We are excited to welcome Lisk to our membership as we carry COPA’s mission forward,” said COPA Board Chair Kirupa Pushparaj. “We admire Lisk’s commitment to keeping crypto open and accessible, and hope this inspires others in the community to join the consortium.”
Max Kordek, Co-founder and CEO of Lisk, said that they are truly excited to join the alliance to boost innovation in the blockchain sector while driving awareness of the issues hindering development in the space.
“The number of operational blockchain patents has exploded over the last few years. COPA helps us all to navigate the potential ramifications of this growth by stepping up to the plate and ensuring industry-beneficial collaboration continues within the community,” said Kordek. “We look forward to working alongside the members of COPA.”
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