Impact of IPR in the World of Social Media

Abstract

This paper aims at understanding the intellectual property laws with the emergence of social media. To what extent social media is powerful and does it hampering the creativity or is it rewarding the creativity. Social media have gone above and beyond and we are all the way surrounded by it remarks the seismic shift in day to day functions of life. This brings the question that whether the content shared on social media is protected under IP laws. It explains the evolution of intellectual property after the introduction of social media. To determine that whether social media is helpful for intellectual property or not? This paper talks about social media and the content shared on social media with reference to intellectual property laws. I. INTRODUCTION Intellectual property is basically the human intellect and creation of the human mind. The concept behind intellectual property is that the product of human intellect needs to be protected as physical properties are being protected. Intellectual property, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), "refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names, and images used in commerce. This means that if someone creates something by using human intellect and which has never been created before then that creator has the ownership of that creation and also has the rights of that creation and is legally protected. Intellectual property is the product of the human intellect including creative concepts, inventions, industrial models, trademarks, songs, literature, symbols, names, brands,....etc. Intellectual Property Rights do not differ from other property rights. They allow their owner to completely benefit from their product which was initially an idea that developed and crystallized.2 They also entitle them to prevent others from using, dealing, or tampering with their product without prior permission from them. 1 Author is a student at Renaissance College of Law, Indore, India. 2 What is IPR, https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/IPR/Pages/WhatIsIPR.aspx. 2021. International Journal of Integrated Law Review