IPR and the Cyberspace: Threats to IPS and Violation of IPRS online

Abstract

The advancement in technology has played an important role in highlighting the multitude of talents around the world. At the same time, virtual platforms have lead to phenomenal growth in business opportunities. The emergence of social media has given the power to the common man to become a performer and a creator by enhancing their talent. Business dealings due to the advent of a virtual medium have increased substantially leading to monetary gains for big and small businesses alike. Intellectual labor is constantly applied in creating the vast amount of online content available to all of us at a click. However, this boon has not been without its bane. Cybercrimes have emerged as a threat to not only IP and IPR but in some extreme cases to the unsuspecting online users as well. Cybercrimes like cybersquatting have been compared to modern extortion in their extreme form and have impacted businesses' reputation as well as their earnings. Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking have made content creators second guess themselves and left them feeling vulnerable. The sad truth is not enough is being done to solve the issue, some countries have taken the lead by issuing specific legislation to address these crimes. This is because though these crimes can be addressed under certain pre-existing laws not every aspect of these crimes is covered by them. As a result, there is a lacuna in the law that has left the online users exposed, such a situation is extremely detrimental to the global society which is rapidly moving towards digitalisation. The internet is here to grow and absorb slowly all unique and mundane activities within its fold. Granted the spirit of the internet is liberty and it should not be heavily censored however if it is not adequately monitored the very liberty that virtual platforms seek to provide would be maligned. This dissertation seeks to highlight the emerging ills of the world wide web while advocating for an urgent need to secure it so that cyber crimes do not hamper the growth of a more connected global society.