IPR in the ensuing global digital economy

This article covers the evolution of traditional intellectual property rights (IPR) laws and associated concepts from printed to digital works, and discusses how the characteristics of digital replication pose problems for traditional IPR systems. It highlights international treaties on copyright, including the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention, the Performers and Phonograms treaty and the Sui‐Generis Protection of Databases. It provides some insight into the Indian software industry by discussing the scope of Indian copyright law, the rights of owner, infringement, penalties, and makes a comparison with US law. The article concludes that judicious participation by all countries in the development of a globalized IPR regime would strengthen the global digital economy.