Wacom Yuify is an innovative service designed to authenticate creators’ works by embedding invisible micro-marks into artworks, which prove how, when, and by whom each work was created. It started with the desire of our ‘sparks’. They wanted to protect the works creators have poured their passion and efforts into in order to create a world where creators can create with peace of mind.

Even though we may refer to it as ‘proof of creation’, what individual creators wish to record varies based on factors like region, culture, and creative practices. A dedicated cross-functional team known as the Extended Core Team (ETC) was even created to address the diversity and move forward with the development. We spoke to Ryoji Ishii from Business Finance & Analysis and Avinav Khanal from Value Proposition & Services, who are leading projects in Japan and Europe. They told us more about the goal of launching the service by 2024 and how the project is coming along.


What is Wacom Yuify all about?

Ryoji: Wacom Yuify is a service that records the proof of creators' creations and the backstory of their creations. This is done by discreetly embedding an invisible micro-mark within the artwork, which holds information about when, how, and by whom it was created. Our development efforts are centered around protecting the digital rights of creators.

Wacom Yuify includes groundbreaking technologies, including unique watermark technology and Decentralized Identity (DID) like Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). Traditionally, many online services relied on Centralized Identity, where each service issued its own ID and was centrally governed by the ID issuer. By integrating blockchain technology, DID empowers individuals to manage their IDs and share essential information on a need-to-know basis. Wacom Yuify is an up-and-coming service that aims to facilitate the protection of creations, while helping to seamlessly manage digital rights in everyday processes.

What was the motivating factor behind developing Wacom Yuify?

Avinav: The driving force behind this project stemmed from a desire to enhance the creative process for creators. We thought long and hard about how to cultivate a more favorable environment for creators while safeguarding digital rights. While all this was happening, internal discussions within the company were exploring the possibility of leveraging blockchain technology, which was relatively new at the time in the field of digital rights protection. This was uncharted territory, with only limited data available and just a handful of companies venturing into this domain.

On the other hand, we were acutely aware of the demands coming from Wacom users who were voicing their needs for such a service. Considering these circumstances, we put together a team, and together we embarked on researching and exploring new technologies. The absence of competitors in this field and the pressing issue faced by creators, which up until that point still hadn’t been solved, served as a potent motivating factor for us to embark on this journey.


Please tell us more about the team behind the project.

Ryoji:  We are working in a cross-functional and cross-regional team, which we refer to as the ETC team. Our approach is primarily shaped by regional considerations, taking into account the unique needs and creative practices of our users. Avinav focused on developing services tailored to the European user base, while my focus was on the Japanese market. However, we are working together very closely and leveraging the specific strengths of each region. My primary role involves partnering with CELSYS, Inc., to develop and provide services customized for the Japanese audience.

Avinav:  Just as Ryoji explained, we function as a cohesive ETC team while each region spearheads its respective initiatives forward. Our geographical distribution plays a significant role in our team structure. For instance, the application development team is in Bulgaria, the technology team operates from the UK, and the legal team is situated in Japan. This configuration allows us to work together with flexibility while nurturing seamless cooperation.


Wacom Yuify ETC has diverse backgrounds. How did you come to join the project?

Roji: My involvement was somewhat unique. Initially responsible for Business Finance & Analysis, I participated in a meeting that was discussing the software technology roadmap and digital rights management when the topic of this new technology came up. By sheer coincidence, I happened to know a Japanese startup who specialized in this area. I introduced the startup to a manager in the Ink Division, which ultimately led to me joining this project.

Avinav: My participation also came from a fortuitous internal conversation. Just before the project was launched, we conducted a workshop on SSI using DID technology where we started to explore digital rights protection. It was from these initial steps that the Wacom Yuify project was born.


How far along have things progressed so far?

Avinav: That’s a difficult question to answer. To gauge our progress, especially in terms of the user interface (UI), I'd estimate we're around 60% finished. While the service isn't quite flawless yet, we believe it already offers significant value. Legal concerns and various constraints exist due to the evolving nature of the technology, but we're dedicated to refining its strengths as a service. Unlike hardware, continuous improvement takes precedence over pursuing perfection in the realm of software and services. I believe the remaining 40% hinges on our ongoing efforts. How do you see it, Ryoji?

Roji: I would say that our progress is at around 50%. We've advanced sufficiently to offer a beta version of the service, aligning with our intended goals. The remaining 50% entails the challenges of marketing the service, further development, and ongoing enhancements.


The beta version of Wacom Yuify is available in Europe*. How have users responded?

Avinav: Wacom Yuify was designed with a user-centric approach. To get users involved, we've been actively engaging with them by distributing the beta version and launching workshops to create more platforms for interaction. Through direct feedback gathered during the closed beta tests conducted in Japan, the US, and Europe in 2022, we've learned that Wacom Yuify is indeed a service that users find practical and usable.

Interestingly, we observed some regional variations in user preferences. In Japan, for instance, users showed a strong inclination toward blockchain technology, which enables them to document the background of their creations. Meanwhile, American users displayed more interest in features related to creator identification and rights management. Users' interests spanned various aspects of Wacom Yuify's features, but the good thing is we haven’t received any negative feedback. The overwhelmingly positive responses underscored the value of Wacom Yuify’s service.

In response to this positive feedback, we started distributing an open beta version in Europe last April 2023. The service is currently available to workshop participants, and while our user base isn't large, we are actively formulating plans for its future development.


It's intriguing to note how different regions and cultures have different needs for Wacom Yuify.

Avinav: Indeed, the distinctions arise from both technical and cultural aspects. Technical differences revolve around variations in software interfaces among regions, while cultural disparities encompass divergent perceptions of rights and the importance of creative communities.

Ryoji: When considering regional differences, multiple facets come into play. As Avinav pointed out, we initially expected Japanese users to find value in our service beyond just rights management. During discussions with our partner CELSYS, we recognized the desire to create an engaging service that appeals to a broader spectrum of users, while preserving the importance of protecting and managing creative works. This led us to the idea of not only documenting the rights for each piece, but also capturing its backstory, why it was created, and the emotions invested into it.

More recently, AI image generation has gained considerable attention. While I don't intend to argue for or against AI, I do understand that human creators infuse their works with passion and effort. Their creations are laden with various emotions and thoughts, which, in today's context, holds immense value. I believe that documenting a work's background with Wacom Yuify is very meaningful and important.


Has the surge in interest around generative AI had an impact on the development of Wacom Yuify?

Avinav: The emergence of generative AI as a prominent trend in the creative industry has evolved rapidly in recent years. While it wasn't that we lacked interest in this area, the rise of generative AI coincided with the ongoing development of Wacom Yuify. In my honest assessment, the timing of Wacom Yuify's emergence may have contributed significantly to the attention it received, as it coincided with the growing interest in AI. This immediately sparked a lot of interest across social media platforms in Europe. Conversations around generative AI were already circulating within creative communities, and it has been one of the key topics. We received comments from various creators, expressing the belief that Wacom Yuify could serve as evidence of human creation, highlighting the high expectations associated with our service.

Regarding AI, there are diverse opinions, with some expressing support while others harbor concerns. It's worth noting that, at this point in time, AI cannot solve all of humanity’s challenges. I believe creators are closely monitoring the future of AI amidst these differing viewpoints. In our discussions about AI, we aim to strike a thoughtful balance. We remain vigilant in observing how the world evolves as AI becomes more widespread.

Ryoji: Our hope is to enable creators to continue their work peacefully and comfortably, relishing in the joy of their creations. This vision aligns with Wacom's commitment to "Life-long Ink," and we aspire to support creators in their creative journeys for a long time to come.


Could you share your goals for Wacom Yuify?

Avinav: I have a very clear vision in mind. I want to create a world where all pieces of work are documented in Wacom Yuify and anyone can easily identify the creator. This would eliminate the need to search for creators' names through internet image searches and alleviate creators' apprehensions about sharing their artworks. Moreover, if Wacom Yuify can authenticate creators' works, it would become more challenging for their creations to be misused.

Ryoji: That is a remarkable vision. In the short term, my goal is to successfully launch Wacom Yuify as a service and gain recognition for it as our new business, which is something I'm actively working on. It's important to emphasize that Wacom Yuify is not a project done by Wacom alone; it involves various partners to make it all happen. The process of aligning diverse entities for the purpose of working towards a common goal is more challenging than I initially imagined. This project has been a significant learning experience for me, presenting numerous challenges. While the success of Wacom Yuify itself is a tremendous source of motivation, my own lessons learned and growth through this project are equally vital to me.

Avinav: I can't wait to introduce Wacom Yuify to creators. In the conversations we’ve had with creators from different backgrounds, we were able to gain valuable insights into the challenges they encounter concerning digital rights. It’s truly heartening to know that the solutions offered by Wacom Yuify are not simply to generate sales for the company, but genuinely help protect the digital rights of creators.


What challenges do you foresee for Wacom Yuify as you embark on the next steps?

Avinav: We believe that we need a comprehensive ecosystem of processes to achieve our goal. As Ryoji mentioned, we need to cooperate with many different partners to make Wacom Yuify a reality. Each party brings its unique interests, business goals and priorities to the table, and collaboration takes a lot of time. While this project presents considerable challenges, we are confident that we are moving in the right direction. I firmly believe that our team is well-equipped to embrace and overcome all the challenges that come our way.

Ryoji: I share that sentiment. I believe that Wacom Yuify will deliver very meaningful experiences to our customers if we can execute it in alignment with our ultimate vision.

Ryoji Ishii	Avinav Khanal