“Property owners of all types face continued headwinds from volatile occupancy rates, inflationary pressures on operating costs, increased regulation and property taxes, and other factors that challenge traditional NOI.

They will need to continue to innovate, exploring new ways to unlock value and identify new revenue streams. One new promising avenue is through Digital Rights (DRs), an emerging concept that mirrors assets such as air, water, and mineral rights, which exist “adjacent” to the physical building itself. DRs are an intriguing way for building owners and operators to monetize the emerging digital realm of the 3D spatial Internet, accessible via personal devices and, increasingly, augmented reality (AR) glasses.”

“A rapidly evolving segment is the use of augmented reality and immersive media to project advertising on CRE buildings without the approval of property owners. It is critically important for owners to protect their digital media property rights and be prepared to monetize future digital content opportunities.

Digital Rights Management has created a blockchain based registration platform that enables owners to claim their property’s digital media rights at no cost. The DRM platform not only protects real estate assets from unauthorized digital advertising, but also positions owners to generate revenue through licensing. The optional monthly monitoring service can identify violations, including unauthorized AR activities like Pokémon Go and unlicensed digital ads.”

“When I was first introduced to Digital Rights (DRs) by visionary founder Neil Mandt, I immediately recognized both the critical threat and unprecedented opportunity facing property owners. Just as buildings possess air, water, and mineral rights, DRs enable owners to monetize the rapidly expanding digital layer of our physical world—the 3D spatial Internet accessed through smartphones and AR technologies. Buildings represent the core intellectual property of real estate and warrant the same robust protection and commercialization strategies as other valuable IP assets.

The Digital Rights Management platform provides tracking of digital activity around properties, empowering owners to capture the financial value they deserve in this new 3D digital economy.”

“Augmented reality is no longer futuristic—it’s already transforming how people engage with buildings. In 2016, Neil brought a forward-thinking concept to Colliers that few had considered, and with each passing year it’s become clear he was ahead of his time. Our REMS team was the first to partner with him because we recognized that properties now exist in two dimensions: the physical and the digital, with tangible value and real risk in AR.

Digital rights present a timely opportunity to unlock new revenue tied to the evolving digital landscape. Just as we manage mineral, air, and signage rights, we now have the responsibility and opportunity to oversee and monetize digital space in a thoughtful, secure, and future-focused way.”