The field of intellectual property (IP) rights is changing rapidly in a time of swift technical development and digital innovation. The distinct characteristics of the digital world are posing a growing threat to the conventional frameworks that once successfully regulated ownership and protection. The boundaries between authorship and ownership become less clear as content creation shifts from well-known artists to regular people empowered by social media platforms, posing significant questions about what creativity looks like in a world that is dominated by technology. Since digital reproduction and dissemination are so simple, there is an unprecedented amount of content available, which has led to a rise in piracy and unauthorised usage and the inadequacy of long-standing enforcement measures. Emerging technologies like blockchain, augmented reality, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) simultaneously present new challenges alongside possible answers.

To maintain their relevance, equity, and ability to promote innovation while defending the rights of artists, IP laws and policies must be re-evaluated considering this digital progression. Understanding the future of IP rights is crucial as humanity traverses this complex digital environment, not only for legal professionals but also for creators and consumers who are caught between opportunity and vulnerability in an environment that is always changing.

This article discusses the future of IP rights in a digital-first world. This work analyses the current landscape of IP across different geographical regions and discusses how the landscape has evolved with the introduction of AI. The article goes on to explore some useful strategies that can be adopted going forward.