[VMG]

What's the point of a private blockchain? Couldn't you just use a more traditional consensus algorithm when you have a closed network?

[baby]

When auditing smart contracts you need to test them privately. So you run a test network with this or testrpc or ...

I'd imagine it's good for developers as well for quick testing.

[kingo55]

Like a traditional database?

[gtsteve]

This is a very good question. I wrote an answer in another thread on this topic which illustrates a use-case you might find interesting: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15512116

[josephagoss]

We use them for testing smart contracts in a private and controlled setting.

[schnevets]

Total shot in the dark, but could there be a use case in Software Licensing? Your customer agrees to host a node in your distributed network, and all clients are able to view a digest of licenses in a format that is not solely owned by the publisher?

Oh, and development instances, of course.

[Immortalin]

Assuming that your customers don't have more nodes than you

[Buttes]

Testnet?

[VMG]

You are right, the blog post explains how to run a private testnet

[kowdermeister]

1) learning 2) powering a large organization 3) in-house development