THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The article examines the theoretical foundations of intellectual property law in the digital age and analyzes the key challenges faced by legal systems due to the rapid development of information technologies. The evolution of intellectual property concepts is explored, particularly the utilitarian-economic and natural rights approaches to justifying the protection of creative works. The impact of digitalization on copyright protection mechanisms is analyzed, including the problem of online piracy, the difficulty of controlling the use of digital content, the liability of online platforms, and the need to ensure a balance between the rights of creators and the public interest in access to information. Special attention is paid to the challenges related to the development of artificial intelligence, including issues of authorship, the legal status of AI-generated works, and the use of copyrighted materials in the process of training AI models. The article also reviews international and national approaches to adapting intellectual property legislation to the digital environment, including legislative reforms in Ukraine and relevant international initiatives. It is concluded that further improvement of intellectual property regulation is necessary in light of technological progress, ensuring effective protection of creators’ rights while maintaining a balance with the interests of society.