Technology's changing role in intellectual property rights

Technological barriers are declining as a means to protect intellectual property, and this change is emerging as the greatest threat to intellectual property rights (IPRs). In particular, the Internet and digital storage methods are radically lowering the technological barriers and consequently forcing changes in the way providers distribute content, especially entertainment. Such a major change will require an equally radical shift in thinking about how to pay content producers and how to restructure the entire production and distribution network's economics. The technological and legal barriers are only one part of a multipart solution, one in which all parts have a role in thwarting inappropriate use of intellectual property by encouraging and rewarding legitimate uses.