The emergence of the Internet has caused policymakers, legislators, rights holders, content creators, businesses, content users and others to rethink the way intellectual property should operate in a modern inter-connected society.

The range of new technologies and the speed of innovation raises intellectual property issues: domain names are often inextricably linked with trademark issues; and the ease with which digital technologies allow for copying and distribution challenges copyright law enforcement.

Intellectual property is currently at the center of an international debate in many different forums regarding how to reconcile the potential of the Internet with traditional intellectual property approaches, including how to stop unlawful transactions on the Internet. Two principal approaches have emerged: involving Internet intermediaries in enforcement and using Internet technical measures to prevent access to unauthorised content.

The outcomes of this debate may have serious implications for the Internet and Internet use if decisions are taken that adversely effect the proper functioning of the Internet and individuals' ability to access and use the Internet unmonitored.

We Focus On:

The Internet Society works on Internet-related intellectual property issues and aims to add its expertise to discussions such as the use of technical measures and the role of Internet intermediaries.

We also work in the area of access to digital content, including access to content in local languages through local language interfaces, and access for persons with disabilities.

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Find out how the Internet Society works on intellectual property issues