Rethinking Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age: A Comparative Analysis of Copyrights, Trademarks, and Design Protections
Keywords:
Digital Infringement, Algorithmic Enforcement, Cross-Border Piracy, User-Generated Content, Graphical User Interfaces, E-Commerce Regulation, Automated Takedown Systems, Design Replication, Trademark Dilution, Copyright EnforcementAbstract
In the digital age, traditional frameworks of intellectual property rights IPRs face unprecedented challenges due to the proliferation of online content, rapid technological innovation, and borderless dissemination. This research examines the evolving landscape of copyrights, trademarks, and design protections in a comparative legal context. The study identifies key gaps in enforcement, scope, and adaptability of existing IPR mechanisms when applied to digital content, e-commerce platforms, user-generated media, and interface designs. Using a doctrinal legal research method, the article analyses international treaties, statutory developments, and case law from jurisdictions including the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, China, India, and Japan. It explores the limitations of conventional copyright protection in addressing piracy and algorithmic takedowns, the complexities of digital trademark disputes, and the inadequacy of traditional design protection frameworks in covering digital and graphical user interfaces. The study concludes that a harmonized and technology-responsive approach to IP protection is urgently needed, incorporating mechanisms such as digital watermarking, streamlined registration processes, and balanced enforcement tools. Ultimately, the research advocates for rethinking IP law to uphold both innovation and public interest in the digital environment. The digital era has radically transformed the creation, dissemination, and protection of IP. With the advent of rapid technological innovation, traditional legal frameworks for copyrights, trademarks, and design protections face significant challenges. This article provides a comparative analysis of these three pillars of intellectual property law, exploring their evolving roles in the digital landscape. By examining key jurisprudence, legislative developments, and global trends, this research calls for a reimagining of IP protections to ensure fairness, innovation, and economic justice in the information age.
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