Last week brought exciting developments to the permaweb with Forward Research's announcement of the Universal Data License (UDL) v0.2, introducing new licensing updates and improved usability.
In this post, I'll detail the latest UDL updates and provide a practical guide on utilizing UDL with Helix and BazAR.
What is UDL?
UDL allows creators to establish their own terms for content usage on Arweave, while developers can permissionlessly license this data within their applications.
UDL tags are programmable. Creators can attach UDL tags to their content metadata to define license terms. This framework also provides developers with clear guidelines on which data can be utilized and how it can be incorporated into their next permaweb apps. Read the full UDL here.
What changes with UDL v0.2?
UDL v0.2 introduces a new “AI” tag, enabling creators to license their work specifically for use in generative AI content creation. This tag represents a significant step forward in democratizing the web and granting creators control over the utilization of their data in the age of AI. Unlike in Web2 platforms, where users lack control over data usage by companies, creators now have the ability to opt in or out of allowing their content to be used for AI generation - eliminating instances like the recent Reddit news.
Another change is the "pay per access" feature, allowing creators to monetize their content on a per-view basis, offering flexibility in content monetization strategies. While this feature has not yet been implemented in a permaweb app, it opens the doors for creating “pay-per-view”-style apps for content such as films and shows.
Upload digital content with Helix
With the release of UDL v0.2, you now need a way to upload digital content to the permaweb. The Helix uploader offers an easy way to upload digital content as permanent atomic assets.
Atomic assets, unlike NFTs, are fully stored on Arweave, including the content and metadata. They can be anything from digital art, documents, videos, audio, to full applications.
How to upload your first atomic asset
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Connect your wallet in Helix (using Arconnect or sign in with a Google account through Othent) and begin uploading files.
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Choose between uploading a full collection or individual atomic assets.
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Fill out the metadata and attach UDL tags to determine how your content will be licensed. Checkout the newly updated Helix docs for more info on UDL selections.
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Fund your account with Turbo credits via the Turbo/Stripe integration, accessed in the top right corner of your Helix account.
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Once uploaded, view your assets on BazAR, the first user interface for the Universal Content Marketplace (UCM).
Welcome to the permaweb
Your atomic assets are now permanently stored on Arweave’s network and apart of the composable permaweb. You can trade these assets for $U on BazAR, or interact with them on other permaweb applications. For example, music uploaded to BazAR can be accessed on the permaweb's music platform, Arcadia, and vice versa.
You'll also notice, while browsing atomic assets on BazAR, that the UDL rights for each asset are displayed on the asset page. For instance, take a look at the screenshot below, showcasing the rights for Jonny Ringo’s Builder BLOX permaweb game.
If someone wishes to utilize the Builder BLOX game for commercial purposes, they would be required to pay a one-time fee of 15 $U directly to the creator (Jonny Ringo). This license fee can be conveniently paid within BazAR, ensuring a verifiable and permanent transaction on Arweave.
This is just one instance of how UDL can be applied. The permaweb is growing fast, so I look forward to seeing more unique ways creators and developers will someday use UDL.
If you have any questions or comments about using UDL tags with Helix or BazAR, feel free to message me on X.
And if you're a creator, developer, or crypto enthusiast looking to join the Arweave ecosystem, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Weavers is your best way to connect through hackathons, bounty competitions, and their quickly growing Discord community.
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Disclaimer
The information presented in this post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as financial advice, and any decisions made based on the content are at the reader's own risk.