From Collective Management to the Creative Network State

In an era when creativity has become one of the most valuable commodities, protecting intellectual property (IP) is crucial. The journey began centuries ago, when royalty societies and creative management organizations were formed to protect the rights of authors, composers, and artists. Driven by the need to secure fair compensation and control over their work, these societies created systems to track, license, and collect royalties for creators, ensuring their voices and visions were valued and sustained.

As algorithms and corporate interests increasingly dictate the course of artistic expression, the future of creativity hinges on reclaiming the agency of creators. We need a movement—a society—that champions the creative process and builds a new cultural renaissance, one where human agency is not just preserved but thrives. Our vision is to usher in a networked music society that empowers creative societies, publishers, distributors, managers and independent artists by adapting existing standards with advanced open source protocols and enabling frictionless IP claims, faster payments, and better control for IP holders. Powered by new efficient and scalable solutions, we will prioritize creativity, authenticity, community, and the protection of intellectual property while driving change at a cultural and regulatory level. This is the foundation of what we call the Creative Network State.

From the establishment of the first copyright societies in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries to the foundation of modern organizations known as Performance rights organization (PROs) and Collective management organizations (CMOs), these bodies have played a key role in advocating for artists and creators. They’ve adapted to changing media landscapes, navigating shifts from sheet music to vinyl, then to digital formats, and now streaming platforms. Yet, as technology rapidly evolves, traditional IP frameworks often struggle to keep pace with the global, instantaneous nature of content distribution, consumption and created

Imagine, then, a truly unified global rights organization — one that leverages advanced technology to protect creators across borders. Such an organization could harmonize IP protection in real-time, facilitate fair remuneration worldwide, and support innovation while respecting creators’ rights. As we understand the critical role of royalty societies, creative organizations, publishers and distributors in the music supply chain, let’s consider what it would take to create this next-generation solution—a network of global rights society for a truly interconnected world

The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities for artistic distribution and reach. Yet, as algorithms begin to play a bigger role in determining what art gets seen, heard, and appreciated, human creativity is increasingly relegated to the periphery. Our mission is to bring creativity back to the center—to empower creators with the means to influence culture, to safeguard their intellectual property, and to guide regulatory movements toward supporting human agency rather than merely corporate profits

The Creative Network State is about re-energizing the Renaissance spirit—ushering in a new era where culture, ideas, and artistic expression are liberated from constraints. By framing our movement as a coalition for human creativity, we prioritize both cultural relevance and regulatory empowerment. This coalition is designed to ensure that the existing frameworks for monetizing creative IP are protected while we transition into new models for the digital age.

To build this movement, we take inspiration from Vitalik Buterin's vision of cultural and regulatory movements as the two pillars needed to create alternative states. Culture defines values, norms, and the influence that shapes our societies; regulation creates the structural integrity to support those values at scale. Our music society will operate on both these fronts:

1. Culture First: Inspiring Human Agency

By positioning our coalition as a creative haven, we reassert the power of human agency in the face of algorithmic dominance. Creators need an ecosystem where they are free to innovate and share their art without gatekeeping by faceless algorithms. We propose on-chain mechanisms that support artists through decentralized funding, royalty distribution, and voting rights—tools that empower artists and community members to drive the cultural agenda.

2. Regulatory Movement: Ensuring Creative Rights are Protected

Regulatory action is crucial to protect creators' rights and ensure their ability to monetize their intellectual property. Our Creative Network State will be a vocal advocate for the rights of creators, lobbying for better protections for digital IP, fair licensing structures, and updated frameworks that reflect the nature of Web3. By pushing for meaningful policy changes, we can ensure that creators benefit from the wealth generated by their work rather than being squeezed out by outdated regulations or monopolistic practices.

Drawing inspiration from Balaji Srinivasan's concept of the network state, our Creative Network State will begin as an on-chain society, focusing on building a coalition of like-minded artists, fans, and industry stakeholders who share our vision of human-centered creativity. This online community will then translate into physical hubs across the world—localized centers where artists can gather, collaborate, and benefit from a supportive creative infrastructure.

The first step is to step back from the limitations of the current structures, just as new societies that are established are challenging the old, opaque and archaic systems. By creating alternative frameworks that directly serve artists and offering incentives for creators to register with our coalition, we DEMONSTRATE a new way of organizing music IP, one that is fairer, more transparent, and ultimately more supportive of creative endeavors.

Our vision is to work with local societies and governments and create small but strategic advantages for artists registering through our network of societies —perhaps starting in regions like the European Union, where innovation and culture protection is highly valued, and where the groundwork has already been laid by new and disruptive organizations and of course in developing countries where infrastructure may be lacking. These advantages could include more favorable royalty splits, tax breaks for creative businesses, or grants for experimental work. By creating a fertile ground for creativity in specific locations, we can drive a migration of talent and demonstrate the potential of our Creative Network State to the world.

The cultural influence of this new society will not be limited to music alone; it will be a model for other creative sectors—a beacon showing how the convergence of art, blockchain, and regulatory action can drive innovation and set an example for communities worldwide. We will build, exit, and demonstrate—laying the foundation for a flourishing, independent, and creator-driven future.

We invite artists, creators, music industry stakeholders, technologists, and fans to join us in shaping the Creative Network State. Together, we can ensure that the future of creativity is human-first, that the rights of artists are protected, and that we move forward into a new era where art shapes algorithms, not the other way around. The journey starts now, as we usher in a new Renaissance of culture, creativity, and community. Let's build it together.

We will soon be announcing the first round table discussion on the formation of the Creative Network State planned for December. Sign-up to our newsletter, or subscribe below in order to take part in the Creative Network State in any shape or form to help influence the future of music IP.