Discuss the role of intellectual property rights in protecting creative work. Assess challenges in enforcement in the digital era. Propose reforms to strengthen the system.

Topic: Issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Q5. Discuss the role of intellectual property rights in protecting creative work. Assess challenges in enforcement in the digital era. Propose reforms to strengthen the system. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
Rapid expansion of the digital creator economy and AI technologies has brought intellectual property rights into focus as a key policy and economic issue.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires explaining how intellectual property rights protect creative work while assessing enforcement challenges in the digital era and proposing reforms to strengthen the system. It demands a balanced coverage of protection, challenges, and solutions.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly link IPR with innovation, creative economy, and digital content monetisation.

Body

  • Role of IPR: Show how it ensures legal protection, economic incentives, and commercialisation of creative work.
  • Challenges in digital era: Highlight issues like piracy, platform governance gaps, cross-border enforcement, and AI-related concerns.
  • Reforms: Suggest measures such as legal updates, technological enforcement tools, institutional strengthening, and awareness.

Conclusion
Emphasise need for a balanced, future-ready IPR regime aligned with digital and technological transformations.