The Dual-Effect of Emerging Technologies on Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age

There are challenges in protecting intellectual property rights (IPR) in the digital age. These challenges undermine the legal protection and economic incentives for innovators. The rise of emerging technologies, notably blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), presents opportunities to address these issues. The decentralized nature and immutability of blockchain introduce enhanced transparency and security for verification and transactions of IPR. Meanwhile, AI technology, with its advanced data processing and pattern recognition capabilities, has improved the monitoring and identification of infringements, thereby boosting the efficiency of IPR protection. Emerging technologies also bring new challenges to IPR protection. For example, the copyright ownership of AI-generated works, and the regulatory difficulties that blockchain technology may bring while improving transparency. These issues require a collective effort from policymakers, practitioners, and ordinary users to address, through means such as updating legal frameworks and enhancing awareness of IPR. This article explores the current situation and challenges of IPR protection in the digital age, and analyzes the dual role played by emerging technologies. The paper proposes potential solutions to these challenges and emphasizes the importance of technical and regulatory standardization. Through an in-depth analysis of these issues, this article aims to provide suggestions for policymakers, practitioners, and ordinary users to promote the effective protection and rational utilization of IPR, as well as the sustainable development of society.