Systems and Methods for Decentralizing Commerce and Rights Management for Digital Assets Using a Blockchain Rights Ledger

Systems and methods for decentralizing commerce and rights management for digital assets using a blockchain rights ledger in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a playback device for accessing content using a decentralized blockchain rights ledger includes a processor, a network interface, a memory connected to the processor, where the memory includes: a decentralized blockchain rights ledger, a platform identifier, a public and private key pair associated with the platform, a ledger modification application, and a playback application, the ledger modification application configures the processor to: receive a first new block created and distributed by a first blockchain management device, update the decentralized blockchain rights ledger with the first new block received from the first blockchain management device, the playback application directs the processor to: obtain an encrypted digital media work, generate a digital representation of the digital media work stored in memory, locate a platform license transaction corresponding to the identified digital representation and matching platform identification number, where the platform activation transaction identifies a platform that is permitted to play back the digital media work and contains an encrypted content key with which the digital media work can be decrypted, where the encrypted content key is encrypted with a public key of a public and private key pair associated with the identified platform, and decrypt the encrypted content key using the private key of the public and private key pair associated with the platform, and decrypt content from the digital media work using the decrypted content key and play back the decrypted content.