Feb 4, 2026
Hiway is building a blockchain-backed provenance system that creates an unforgeable chain of authenticity, separating real creators from AI imposters.
David Orman
CO-Founder & CEO
In an era where AI can generate fake films, forge celebrity performances, and flood the internet with counterfeit content, proving ownership isn't optional - it's survival.
The AI revolution has created an authenticity crisis. Within seconds, generative AI can create convincing film trailers, synthetic actor performances, and entire documentaries that never existed. Deepfake technology has advanced to the point where distinguishing real content from AI-generated forgeries is nearly impossible for the human eye.
For filmmakers, this isn't just a technical challenge - it's an existential threat to intellectual property, brand integrity, and revenue streams. When anyone can generate content that mimics your style, uses AI-cloned voices, or creates "lost footage" that never existed, how do you prove what's real?
The answer lies in cryptographic provenance connected to verifiable identity - something only the legitimate creator can provide. Hiway is building exactly that.
The AI Content Crisis: Fake Films, Synthetic Actors, and Counterfeit Catalogues
The Scale of the Problem
AI-generated content is flooding platforms at unprecedented rates:
Deepfake videos increased by 900% in 2024 alone, with film content particularly vulnerable
AI voice cloning can replicate any actor's voice from just 3 seconds of audio
Synthetic media platforms now generate feature-length "films" in hours, often using copyrighted styles and concepts
Content farms deploy AI to create thousands of fake trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and promotional materials
Real-World Impact on Filmmakers
The consequences are devastating:
Revenue Theft: Fake sequels and "director's cuts" monetise on platforms, stealing views and ad revenue
Brand Damage: AI-generated content using your style or characters damages reputation and dilutes IP value
Licensing Confusion: Distributors and buyers struggle to verify authenticity, slowing legitimate deals
Legal Nightmares: Proving ownership in court requires expensive forensic analysis and lengthy proceedings
Fan Deception: Audiences unknowingly consume fake content, eroding trust in legitimate releases
The fundamental problem: Traditional content systems have no built-in way to prove provenance. A video file is just a file - there's no inherent proof of who created it, when, or whether it's been altered.
Hiway's Solution: Blockchain-Backed Provenance That Proves Authenticity
Hiway is solving the AI authenticity crisis through blockchain-registered content ownership - creating an immutable record that connects your content directly to your verified identity, establishing an unforgeable chain of custody from creation to distribution.
How It Works: The Provenance Foundation
1. Verified Creator Identity
Your Hiway account is created through secure identity verification
Each creator has a unique, verified account tied to their real-world identity
This becomes your cryptographic signature - impossible to forge or duplicate
Production companies can establish multi-stakeholder verification for collaborative projects
2. Blockchain-Registered Content
The moment you upload content to Hiway, it's registered on blockchain infrastructure
Your content receives a cryptographic hash - a unique digital fingerprint
This hash is timestamped and recorded immutably, proving you possessed this exact file at this exact moment
Metadata includes creator identity, upload timestamp, rights information, and file fingerprint
3. Immutable Chain of Custody
Every action - edits, version updates, distribution agreements - is recorded on the blockchain
Each transaction is linked to your verified account, creating an unbreakable audit trail
Licensing terms, territorial rights, and usage permissions are automatically documented
All changes are traceable back to the original creator account
4. Public Verification (Coming Soon)
Anyone will be able to verify content authenticity by checking the blockchain record
Verification will confirm: creator identity, creation date, modification history, and current ownership status
No centralised authority needed - the blockchain itself is the proof
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The Unforgeable Advantage: Why AI Can't Fake Blockchain Provenance
Cryptographic Impossibility
AI can generate convincing videos, but it cannot:
Forge your verified creator account (requires real-world identity verification)
Create backdated blockchain records (immutable ledger prevents historical tampering)
Replicate your on-chain transaction history (each account has a unique, verifiable history)
Register content without your authorisation (requires your authenticated account access)
The Authentication Process
When someone questions content authenticity:
Traditional Method (Weeks/Months):
Hire forensic analysts to examine files
Gather creation documentation and witness testimony
Legal proceedings to establish ownership
Expensive, slow, and often inconclusive
Hiway Method (Seconds, once fully deployed):
Check blockchain record for creator account
Verify cryptographic hash matches claimed content
Review immutable timestamp and modification history
Instant, verifiable, legally defensible proof
Real-World Use Cases: Protecting Your Content from AI Fraud
1. Preventing Deepfake Sequels and Unauthorised "Remakes"
The Threat: AI generates a fake sequel to your film using synthetic actors and your visual style, monetising on streaming platforms.
Hiway Protection:
Your original film's blockchain record proves you're the sole creator
The fake sequel has no valid provenance chain connected to your verified account
Platforms can verify authenticity before allowing uploads
Takedown notices include cryptographic proof of ownership
Legal action is supported by immutable blockchain evidence
2. Combating AI Voice Cloning and Synthetic Performances
The Threat: AI clones an actor's voice from your film, creating fake promotional content or unauthorised appearances.
Hiway Protection:
Legitimate content includes actor consent records on-chain, verified through their accounts
Voice usage rights are cryptographically bound to specific projects
Any content lacking proper verification is provably unauthorised
Actors can publicly verify which projects they've legitimately participated in
3. Stopping Content Farm Exploitation
The Threat: AI content farms generate thousands of fake trailers, clips, and "behind-the-scenes" footage using your IP.
Hiway Protection:
Only content registered to your verified account carries legitimate provenance
AI-generated fakes have no connection to your cryptographic identity
Automated monitoring flags content claiming to be yours without proper verification
Distributors and platforms can verify authenticity before acquisition
4. Protecting Archive and Catalogue Value
The Threat: AI generates "lost footage" or "alternate versions" that dilute your catalogue's value and create confusion.
Hiway Protection:
Complete filmography is registered on-chain with your verified account
Every legitimate version, edit, and release is cryptographically documented
Buyers can verify they're acquiring authentic content with clear provenance
Catalogue integrity is maintained through immutable records
The Technical Architecture: How Blockchain-Backed Provenance Works
Content Hashing and Fingerprinting
Every file uploaded to Hiway undergoes:
SHA-256 Hashing: Creates a unique 256-bit fingerprint of your content
Perceptual Hashing: Identifies content even if re-encoded or slightly modified
Frame-Level Fingerprinting: Embeds invisible watermarks in every frame, linked to your account
Blockchain Registration
The hash is recorded on the blockchain with:
Creator Account ID: Your unique verified identity
Timestamp: Exact moment of registration (immutable)
Metadata Hash: Project details, cast/crew, rights information
Smart Contract Integration: Automated enforcement of usage rights
Secure Account Authentication
Every transaction is authenticated through your verified account:
Multi-Factor Authentication: Ensures only you can register content
Identity Verification: Real-world identity linked to your account
Audit Trail: Complete history of all account actions
Multi-User Support: Production companies can have multiple authorised users
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Beyond Anti-Piracy: The Strategic Value of Provenance
1. Premium Pricing for Verified Content
In a market flooded with AI-generated content, provenance becomes premium:
Buyers pay more for content with verified authenticity
Distributors prioritise content with clear ownership chains
Advertisers prefer platforms with authenticated content
Streaming services can market "verified creator" catalogues
2. Instant Licensing and Rights Clearance
Traditional rights clearance takes weeks; Hiway's blockchain records make it faster:
Blockchain record shows current ownership and licensing status
Automated systems track territorial and temporal rights
Reduced need for legal teams to verify ownership - it's cryptographically proven
Licensing deals close faster, generating revenue sooner
3. Creator Reputation and Trust
Your verified account becomes your reputation:
On-chain history proves your track record as a creator
Buyers can see your complete filmography and rights management
Transparent distribution builds trust with collaborators
Verified creator status differentiates you from AI content mills
4. Future-Proof IP Protection
As AI capabilities advance, cryptographic provenance remains unbreakable:
Blockchain records survive platform changes and corporate failures
Immutable records provide permanent proof of ownership
Decentralised infrastructure ensures your proof exists forever
Legal frameworks increasingly recognise blockchain evidence
The AI Arms Race: Why Traditional Systems Can't Compete
Centralised Platforms Are Vulnerable
Traditional content platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and even studio servers have critical weaknesses:
No Cryptographic Identity: User accounts can be hacked, impersonated, or compromised
Mutable Records: Platform administrators can alter timestamps, metadata, and ownership records
Platform Dependency: If the platform shuts down, your proof of ownership disappears
No Cross-Platform Verification: Content uploaded to multiple platforms has no unified provenance chain
Blockchain Is Unforgeable
Hiway's blockchain foundation provides:
Decentralisation: No single entity can alter records or shut down the system
Immutability: Once recorded, provenance data cannot be changed or deleted
Transparency: Records can be verified without trusting a central authority
Interoperability: Provenance follows your content across any platform or distribution channel
AI Detection Alone Isn't Enough
Whilst AI detection tools (spotting synthetic media) are improving, they have limitations:
Arms Race: As detection improves, generation improves faster
False Positives: Legitimate content sometimes flagged as AI-generated
No Proof of Ownership: Detection tools can spot fakes but can't prove who owns the real version
Reactive, Not Proactive: Detection happens after content is created and distributed
Hiway's approach is proactive: Establish provenance at creation, making fake content provably illegitimate from the start.
Where We Are Now: Building the Future of Content Authenticity
Current Capabilities
Hiway already provides:
Secure Account Infrastructure: Verified creator accounts with robust authentication
Blockchain-Backed Streaming: Your content is stored and delivered through blockchain infrastructure
Immutable Registration: Content receives cryptographic hashing and blockchain timestamping
Anti-Piracy Protection: Advanced fingerprinting and monitoring systems
Professional Distribution: Full workflow from upload to global delivery
The Roadmap: Web3 Ownership
We're building towards full decentralised ownership:
Publisher Web3 Wallets: Direct wallet connectivity for ultimate ownership control (coming soon)
Self-Sovereign Identity: You'll control your identity and content through your own wallet
Public Verification APIs: Anyone will be able to verify content authenticity independently
Smart Contract Licensing: Fully automated rights management and royalty distribution
Cross-Platform Provenance: Your blockchain record will follow content everywhere
Why we're building incrementally: We're ensuring each layer is robust, secure, and legally defensible before adding the next. The foundation - blockchain registration and immutable provenance - is already in place.
Implementation: Getting Started with Blockchain-Backed Provenance
Step 1: Create Your Verified Account
Sign up through Hiway's secure account creation process
Complete identity verification (optional but recommended for maximum legal protection)
Your account becomes your cryptographic signature for all content
Step 2: Register Your Existing Catalogue
Upload master files to Hiway's blockchain-backed infrastructure
Each file is hashed and registered with immutable timestamps
Metadata (cast, crew, rights) is cryptographically bound to the content
Historical content receives provenance records from the upload date
Step 3: Establish Ongoing Provenance
All new content automatically registers upon upload
Edits and versions are tracked with your account signature
Collaborators can be added with verified access
Distribution agreements are recorded on-chain
Step 4: Leverage Provenance for Distribution
Share blockchain-verified content with buyers and distributors
Use immutable records to accelerate licensing negotiations
Display "Blockchain-Verified" status on promotional materials
Build reputation through transparent, verifiable content history
Legal and Regulatory Advantages
Admissibility in Court
Blockchain evidence is increasingly recognised in legal proceedings:
United States: Multiple courts have accepted blockchain records as evidence
European Union: GDPR-compliant blockchain implementations are legally valid
United Kingdom: Law Commission recognises cryptographic signatures as legally binding
China: Supreme Court ruled blockchain evidence admissible in 2018
Automated Copyright Support
Hiway's blockchain records support copyright registration:
U.S. Copyright Office: Blockchain records support registration applications
WIPO: World Intellectual Property Organisation accepts blockchain timestamps
Automatic Documentation: Generate legally compliant copyright documentation from blockchain data
Dispute Resolution
When ownership is contested:
Immutable Evidence: Blockchain records provide clear, tamper-proof proof
Reduced Legal Costs: Cryptographic verification eliminates need for expensive forensic analysis
Faster Resolution: Courts can verify ownership through blockchain records rather than months of discovery
Deterrent Effect: Potential infringers know provenance is unforgeable, reducing frivolous claims
The Competitive Advantage: Why Hiway's Approach Is Unique
Other Platforms
Many platforms claim blockchain integration, but lack true provenance:
NFT Marketplaces: Focus on collectibles, not professional content distribution
Generic Blockchain Storage: Provide hashing but no identity binding or rights management
Centralised Platforms with Blockchain Marketing: Use blockchain as a buzzword, not true decentralisation
Hiway's Differentiators
Identity-Bound Provenance: Content is cryptographically linked to your verified account, not just stored
Professional Distribution: Built for film industry workflows, not hobbyists or collectors
Blockchain-Native Architecture: Content storage and streaming run on blockchain infrastructure
AI-Specific Protection: Designed to combat deepfakes and synthetic media, not just traditional piracy
Legal Integration: Provenance records are formatted for copyright offices and legal proceedings
Incremental Innovation: Building Web3 ownership layer by layer, ensuring security and reliability
The Future: AI-Resistant Content Ecosystems
Platform Integration
Hiway is working towards:
Pre-Upload Verification: Platforms will check provenance before allowing content uploads
Verified Creator Badges: Display cryptographic verification to audiences
Automated Takedowns: AI-generated fakes will be flagged and removed automatically
Revenue Protection: Only blockchain-verified creators will receive monetisation
Industry Standards
Hiway's provenance model is positioned to become the standard:
Film Festivals: Moving towards requiring blockchain provenance for submissions
Distributors: Increasingly preferring content with verified ownership chains
Insurance: Lower premiums expected for content with cryptographic protection
Investors: Valuing catalogues with clear, immutable provenance
AI Collaboration, Not Competition
Ironically, AI will also help protect content:
AI-Powered Monitoring: Neural networks scan for unauthorised copies 24/7
Automated Verification: AI checks provenance records across platforms
Smart Detection: AI triggers alerts when fake content is detected
Predictive Protection: AI identifies emerging threats before they spread
The Bottom Line: Authenticity Is Your Competitive Advantage
In an era where AI can generate infinite fake content, provenance is the new scarcity.
Hiway's blockchain-backed single source of truth doesn't just protect your content - it transforms authenticity into a strategic asset. When every file you create carries an unforgeable cryptographic signature linked to your verified identity, you're not just defending against fakes; you're building a reputation that AI can never replicate.
What You Gain
Cryptographic Ownership: Blockchain-backed proof that only you can provide
Immutable Records: Timestamps and hashes that can never be altered or deleted
Legal Protection: Evidence that accelerates dispute resolution and deters infringement
Premium Positioning: Verified content commands higher prices in an AI-saturated market
Future-Proof Security: As AI advances, your provenance remains unbreakable
Peace of Mind: Focus on creating, knowing your work is protected by mathematics
The Choice Is Clear
You can compete in an AI-flooded marketplace where anyone can claim to be you, or you can establish cryptographic provenance that proves you're the real creator.
Traditional platforms offer storage. Hiway offers cryptographic certainty.
Ready to prove your content is real in a world of AI fakes?
Join Hiway's BETA and establish your blockchain-backed single source of truth.
About the Author
David Orman
CO-Founder & CEO
With a career that has taken me through venture capital, media, sport and digital content, I’ve picked up more stories than I can count, and too many I can't tell....