Page 488 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2024

2024 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

digital age complicates law enforcement due to difficulties in a profound impact on the definition, use, protection, and
legal jurisdiction and international cooperation, making the management of IPR.
protection of IPR more challenging. First, digitization poses new problems for the definition of
Emerging technologies, notably blockchain and AI, offer IPR. While the traditional legal system of IPR is based on
potential solutions to challenges in defining, protecting, physical media and priority of dissemination, works can
and managing digital IPR[9]. Blockchain technology be reproduced and disseminated without loss or limitation
stands out with its decentralized, immutable, and highly in the digital environment. This ease of reproduction
transparent features, introducing a novel and reliable complicates the definition of an original work, as the criterion
method for confirming and utilizing IPR. For instance, of "originality" of an original work becomes blurred in digital
storing copyright information of creative content on the reproduction. During the digital creation process, the author’s
blockchain provides copyright owners with incontrovertible novel ideas, revision process and other creative activities are
and permanent proof of ownership. This approach simplifies often hidden, unlike in traditional media where visible traces
the process of verifying copyright ownership and effectively are easily left behind. This makes it difficult for third parties
prevents copyright infringement. AI, with its advanced to judge whether a digital work is truly original.
data processing and pattern recognition capabilities, can Secondly, digitization poses new challenges to the protection
autonomously detect and identify infringing content online, of IPR. Digital works are distributed in various ways, and
offering substantial technical support for IPR protection. the illegal downloading and sharing online of digital works
However, developing and applying these emerging exacerbates the issue of IPR infringement. The anonymity
technologies also pose challenges to IPR management. For and borderless nature of cyberspace make such infringements
example, the widespread use of AI and the creation of more covert and difficult to trace, which allows infringers to
AI-generated works have raised complex debates about easily conceal their identities. The traditional intellectual
copyright ownership. There is a lack of clear legal property protection measures are often ineffective in a
guidance and regulations regarding the attribution and digital environment. With the advancement of emerging
protection of these creative works. Additionally, the use technologies like big data and the Internet of Things, the
of data in AI training processes poses privacy breach protection of IPR is no longer limited to traditional patents,
risks[10]. While blockchain technology can enhance trademarks, and copyrights, but extends to new types of IPR
the transparency and efficiency of IPR management, such as software codes, algorithms, and data sets. At the
its decentralized and tamper-proof characteristics may same time, the development of digital society has shortened
also present regulatory challenges. Furthermore, the cycles of innovation and application, placing higher
compared with traditional technologies, AI and blockchain demands on the efficiency of IPR protection. Establishing
exhibit more pronounced cross-regional and cross-platform a more efficient dispute resolution mechanism and services
characteristics. Establishing unified regulatory standards to resolve IPR disputes is an important task for the protection
to better facilitate their application and thereby promote of intellectual property rights in the digital age.
sustainable development has become an urgent issue. Table 1 – The development of online literature in China in
In this paper, we first introduce the characteristics of IPR in 2023[22].
the digital era. Then, using AI and blockchain technology as Number Year-on-year growth
representatives, the paper discusses the double-edged sword Author 24.05 million 10.32%
effect of emerging technologies on IPR management in the Literature 36.2 million 13.13%
digital era, including their impact on policy, supervision, User 537 million 9%
law, and society. The impact on all aspects highlights the
Finally, the trans-regional nature of IPR is more pronounced
importance of establishing consistent regulatory rules for
in the digital age. Digital technology allows for the rapid
the application of emerging technologies especially in the
global access and use of works. Through the internet,
rapidly evolving landscape of these technologies. Finally,
works can be instantly disseminated worldwide. Music,
this article offers suggestions to policymakers, practitioners,
movies, books, and software can all be obtained by countless
and ordinary users regarding the IPR protection challenges
users through digital platforms, providing users with a more
posed by emerging technologies in the digital age.
flexible and convenient experience. Taking the Chinese
online literature market in 2023 as an example, as shown
2. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND
in Table 1, the current online literature market is vast and
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN DIGITAL AGE
shows a steady growth trend. The emergence of online book
In this section, we introduce the characteristics of IPR and and music platforms such as Migu Reading and Migu Music
emerging technologies in the digital age. has made it more convenient for the public to access and use
works protected by IPR. This has not only changed the way
2.1 IPR system in the digital age works are disseminated but also promoted the development of
new business models based on IPR. For instance, subscription
The IPR system is key to ensuring that innovations are services, in-app purchases, and content sharing platforms
recognized legally and utilized properly[8]. The development are all new business models enabled by digital technology,
of digital technology has not only changed how knowledge providing new sources of revenue for creators and owners
is created, disseminated, and consumed but also has had of IPR. Furthermore, digitalization has lowered the barriers

– 444 –