International Journal of Intellectual Property Management (20 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Unveiling the drivers of CSR disclosure in emerging economies: the role of boardrooms, firm characteristics and political stability in Palestine  
  by Ammar Salem, Alaa Jarrar, Raed Abdelhaq, Abdulnaser Ibrahim Nour, Abdalmuttaleb M.A. Musleh Al-Sartawi 
  Abstract: This study investigates the impact of board structure, firm characteristics, and political stability on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of Palestine Exchange (PEX)-listed companies over the 20142023 period. Using 430 firm-year observations of 43 firms, CSR disclosure was measured with a 28-item index. Results indicate that board independence and political stability are negatively associated with CSR disclosure, while audit committee presence, firm age, and firm size have positive effects. CEO duality, gender diversity, board meetings, board education, profitability, and leverage were not significant. Overall, the Palestinian firms disclosed 46% of the CSR index items, with evidence of a strong negative association between political stability and CSR disclosure. The findings demonstrate significant implications for policymakers and regulators to embrace improved governance practices and implement standardised CSR measurement tools to promote transparency and accountability in emerging economies.
  Keywords: CSR disclosure; board composition; Palestine Exchange; PEX; political stability; CSR index; firm characteristics; political stability; Palestine.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10073669
   
  
• Investigating service quality, perceived risk, and marketing strategies to enhance perceived value in online shopping  
  by Huy Mach Tran, Thuy Dung Pham Thi 
  Abstract: This study examines how personalised marketing (PM) and external cues influence customer-perceived value in e-commerce using the S-O-R framework. PM and external cues act as stimuli affecting service quality and perceived risk, which mediate their impact on customer-perceived value. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis of e-commerce user data shows that PM enhances service quality, reduces perceived risks, and boosts customer-perceived value. External cues, like brand reputation and pricing transparency, also lower risks and improve service quality perceptions. The findings underscore the importance of PM, effective external cues, and risk mitigation strategies, offering actionable insights for enhancing trust, engagement, and competitive advantage in online marketplaces. This study advances knowledge by examining the interplay between personalised marketing (PM), external cues, and customer-perceived value in e-commerce through the S-O-R framework. By highlighting the mediating roles of service quality and perceived risk, it provides novel insights into how PM and external cues enhance value perception. The findings offer practical implications for e-commerce managers, emphasising strategies to foster trust, improve engagement, and strengthen competitive advantage in online marketplaces.
  Keywords: service quality; risk; value; marketing strategies; online shopping.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10073798
   
  
• Intellectual property in short-, medium-, and long-term planning: alternative paths for commercialising  
  by Anargul Tapalchinova, Aigul Alibekova, Myrzabek Zhanat, Maiya Kayumova, Nataliia Fominykh 
  Abstract: The aim of this research is to outline the spectrum of paths for commercialising intellectual property and to identify the most advantageous approaches for different planning timeframes (short-term, medium-term, and long-term). The approximation of trend dynamics for the analysis and forecasting of changes in the field of intellectual property has enabled the identification of key patterns and conclusions regarding the current state and future prospects of this sector, with a focus on Kazakhstan. An analysis of business practices in the field of intellectual property over the past two decades has highlighted major innovation holders. Cluster analysis has grouped countries based on similar intellectual property creation indicators, allowing for the identification of groups of countries with comparable levels of activity and characteristics in this area. This facilitated the development of recommendations for enhancing the national intellectual property system, drawing on successful international practices.
  Keywords: academic entrepreneurship; business protection; clustering; innovation economy; intellectual property rights.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10073896
   
  
• Metaverse medicine: pioneering anti-aging solutions in virtual healthcare  
  by Dileep Kumar Murala 
  Abstract: Metaverse technology intrigues academia and industry. Several stakeholders are considering metaverse expansion for app usability. Healthcare uses the Metaverse to improve services and lives. Metaverse technology intrigues academia and industry. Several stakeholders are considering metaverse expansion for app usability. Healthcare uses the Metaverse to improve services and lives. By studying metaverse-based digital anti-aging healthcare, we demonstrate how metaverse applications in chronic illness treatment, exercise, and mental health monitoring increase healthcare and patient longevity. The Metaverse creates new healthcare choices using AI, Blockchain, IoT, DT, and IT. These technologies help doctors improve patient outcomes, decrease costs, and offer novel, longevity-promoting experiences. Blockchain securely and transparently keeps healthcare data, while AI can evaluate massive databases and recommend therapies. Therapeutic IoT devices collect real-time patient data. These technologies could revolutionise healthcare and boost patient well-being worldwide. This study advises developing digital anti-aging for customers to live longer.
  Keywords: healthcare; virtual reality; artificial intelligence; blockchain; internet of things; immersive technology; digital twin technology.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10074281
   
  
• Corporate transparency under pressure: the association between corporate social responsibility disclosure and earnings management in contexts of political instability  
  by Duha Jamal Rabaia, Alaa Jarrar, Raed Abdelhaq, Rahma Odeh, Jawad Zaki Eleyan, Mays Mubaslat, Abdulnaser Ibrahim Nour 
  Abstract: Corporate transparency is both challenging and essential in politically unstable environments. This study investigates the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and earnings management (EM) in Palestine, a market characterised by economic uncertainty and political instability. A content analysis approach was applied to a balanced panel of 430 firm-year observations from 43 companies listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange during 20152024. CSR disclosure was measured using an index adapted from the Global Reporting Initiative, while EM was proxied by discretionary accruals estimated through the Kothari model. The findings reveal a significant negative association between CSR disclosure and EM, showing that firms with higher CSR transparency are less likely to EM. Political stability also shows a significant negative effect on EM, showing that higher political stability is associated with lower EM. Moreover, leverage and profitability are positively associated with EM. These results align with agency, stakeholder, and legitimacy theories, underlining the importance of CSR in strengthening governance and stakeholder trust. This research contributes to the limited literature on CSR and EM in politically unstable contexts and provides practical implications for regulators looking to reinforce governance systems and enhance financial transparency.
  Keywords: earnings management; corporate social responsibility disclosure; political stability; Palestine Stock Exchange.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10074319
   
  
• Intellectual property at a crossroads: AIs impact on US copyright law  
  by Mohammad Reza Khonaksar, Farzane Karimi 
  Abstract: The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating autonomous creative works challenges copyright law's foundational principles of human authorship. This article analyses the complex interplay between US copyright law and AI-generated content, highlighting the legal ambiguities that arise. As AIs creative capacities outstrip existing legal frameworks, the need for doctrinal adaptation becomes evident. We explore potential authorship frameworks, including AI as author, computational co-authorship, and the traditional tool-user approach. Through analysis of recent case law, notably Kashtanova v. Stable Diffusion, we illustrate the challenges in recognising AIs role within legal constructs that require human creative input. We also address the implications for fair use and the public domain, proposing that copyright law may need significant reform. This exploration seeks to reconcile AIs role with the incentive structures for human creativity. Our findings advocate for a dynamic legal framework that supports innovation while ensuring copyright continues to serve its constitutional purpose.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; copyright law; AI authorship; computational creativity; intellectual property; fair use; public domain; digital copyright; human collaboration; legal frameworks for AI; AI-generated content.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075042
   
  
• Enforcement and innovation in Indian competition law through doctrinal analysis and survey evidence  
  by R. Gokul, E. Prema 
  Abstract: Indias regulatory landscape has changed a lot since the enforcement of competition legislation began. This study examines the correlation between competition law enforcement and innovation results in India, a jurisdiction characterised by nascent regulatory institutions and developing jurisprudence. The study employs a mixed method design, integrating doctrinal and content analysis of the Competition Act, 2002, its amendments, and over a decade of directives from the Competition Commission of India (CCI), alongside an empirical survey of lawyers, policymakers, economists, and corporate counsels in sectors highly oriented towards innovation. Survey tools measured peoples opinions on the fairness of enforcement, the functioning of the market, and the effects of innovation, using examples such as patent filings, R&D spending, and product launches. The results reveal that behavioural remedies are positively related to product innovation, but structural penalties have only weak or inconsistent relationships with patent activity. Sectoral patterns indicate that innovation enforcement is stronger in the pharmaceutical sector than in telecoms, highlighting that each business has its own unique dynamics. Factor analysis showed that the construct was legitimate (CR > 0.85; AVE > 0.60), and quantitative analysis used correlation tests with confidence intervals, time series checks for autocorrelation, and partial correlations.
  Keywords: competition law; enforcement; innovation; sectoral dynamics; autocorrelation; partial correlations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075673
   
  
• From crisis to catalyst: wearable neurotechnology innovation in the post-COVID era  
  by Ashok Hemanth Upputuri, Anindya Roy Chowdhury, Abhilash Preetam Ambati 
  Abstract: The convergence of wearable technologies and neurodegenerative healthcare accelerated in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic itself may no longer dominate the innovation narrative, it catalysed significant investments in remote health monitoring, teleneurology, and patient-centric diagnostics particularly for chronic neurological conditions such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, and ALS. This paper presents a comprehensive patent landscape analysis conducted on 10 May 2025 using the Derwent Innovation database, which yielded 351 records, narrowed after validation to 45 patents focused on wearable healthcare technologies for neurodegenerative disorders. Using CPC/IPC/DWPI classifications, the analysis reveals that the most prevalent IPC codes are measurement (A61B 5/00), neurostimulation (A61N 1/36), and movement tracking (A61B 5/11), with applications in Alzheimers (A61P 25/28) and telehealth (G16H 50/30, G16H 50/50). The findings provide strategic insights for researchers, technology developers, and IP professionals navigating this rapidly evolving intersection of healthcare and wearable technology.
  Keywords: wearable technology; neurodegenerative disorders; COVID-19; patent landscape.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075674
   
  
• Legal alchemy: transforming stem cell innovations into patents amid constraints  
  by Ali Khalid Qtaishat, Tariq K. Alhasan, Khairuddin Al-Amin 
  Abstract: This study examines the legal framework governing the patentability of biotechnological inventions involving the extraction and modification of animal stem cells for human treatment in Jordan. Despite meeting the criteria of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, such inventions face prohibitions under Jordanian law due to ethical, religious, and moral considerations rooted in Islamic principles. The research analyses the interplay between international agreements like TRIPS and national legislation, highlighting how public order and morality exclusions impact patent rights. It concludes that current legal texts prevent granting patents for these technologies, limiting inventors protections to general legal provisions that must align with Islamic law. The study recommends legal reforms to establish clear ethical guidelines, amend patent laws to allow ethically acceptable inventions, and promote responsible innovation while respecting cultural and religious values.
  Keywords: patent law; stem cells; biotechnology; Islamic law; Jordan; ethical considerations.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075675
   
  
• implementations on performance: empirical exploring of Japanese SMEs  
  by Liyue Zhao, Akio Nagahira 
  Abstract: This study surveyed 226 Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to examine the impact of intellectual property (IP) management implementations on SME performance. IP-related implementations in SMEs are divided into four categories: IP strategy, IP administration (IP admin), general management, and IP management. This study uses structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the causal relationships among these categories. The findings reveal how IP-related activities affect enterprise performance. This study makes contributions in three areas: content (reclassifying intellectual property-related activities), perspective (focusing on technology-based SMEs), and methodology (employing a mixed research approach that combines structural equation modelling with literature analysis). By revealing how IP-related activities affect enterprise performance, this study provides a reference analytical framework for related research.
  Keywords: intellectual property strategy; intellectual property management; SMEs; structural equation modelling; SEM.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075984
   
  
• The urgency of artificial intelligence regulation and its relation to intellectual property regulation in Indonesia  
  by Ahmad M. Ramli, Tasya Safiranita, Sigid Suseno, Ranti Fauza Mayana, Muhammad Rifqi Hariri, Mochammad Aditia Gustawinata, Ramalinggam Rajamanickam 
  Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in modern society, enhancing efficiency and innovation, but also poses legal risks, including output hallucinations, deepfake misuse, and intellectual property (IP) disputes. A key legal debate revolves around whether AI can be a subject of IP rights, such as a patent inventor or copyright creator a notion rejected by courts in several jurisdictions, including Indonesia. This study employs a normative juridical method with a descriptive-analytical approach to examine global AI regulatory frameworks and their applicability to Indonesia. The findings highlight the need for AI regulations emphasising accountability, transparency, and standardisation, alongside public education and cross-sector collaboration. The study recommends that Indonesia accelerate AI-specific legislation, focusing on data quality, human oversight, and ethical governance to support industry growth while ensuring a human-centred approach.
  Keywords: artificial intelligence; intellectual property; regulation; Indonesia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075985
   
  
• Anti-competition practice with patent pooling agreements in the pharmaceutical sector in India  
  by Ipsita Das, Anas Mhanna, Aranya Nath, Anusuya Ghosh 
  Abstract: This article critically examines the interplay between patent pooling agreements and anti-competitive practices in Indias pharmaceutical sector. While patent pools can promote innovation by reducing transaction costs and facilitating the sharing of technological know-how, they may also be misused to create monopolies, inflate drug prices, and restrict market entry, ultimately affecting access to affordable medicines. The study explores Indias legislative framework, particularly the Competition Act, 2002, and the Patents Act, 1970, analysing how these laws regulate anti-competitive behaviours. The role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in assessing mergers, licensing arrangements, and patent pooling is discussed, with attention to the regulatory gaps and jurisdictional overlaps. Through doctrinal analysis and comparative insights from global standards (WIPO and WHO), the paper emphasises the need for transparent, balanced regulations that ensure innovation without compromising public health. Recommendations are offered to enhance oversight, promote fair licensing, and safeguard affordable drug access in India.
  Keywords: pharmaceutical industries; Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights; TRIPS; patent pooling; competition laws; anti-competitive agreement; patent act; public health; regulatory framework; drug accessibility; compulsory licensing.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10076699
   
  
• Determination of inventorship in law of patents: a comparative study of the legal framework between India and USA  
  by Lakshminarayanan Ramachandran, Avishek Chakraborty 
  Abstract: The Patents Act, 1970 in India has no adequate criteria for determining inventor and joint inventor of a patent. Since India is witnessing an emergence of modern technologies and research collaborations, inadequacy in determining inventorship can lead to future legal, business, economic, and emotional consequences for the stakeholders. This study set the objective of understanding and identifying the criteria for inventorship in India in comparison with the USA. The method of analysis was qualitative and systematic. The study clarifies ambiguous terms, proposes recommendations for adopting principles of conception and reduction to practice, clarifying joint inventorship criteria, reforming Indian patent law to define key terms, and developing a multi-factor test for joint inventorship. These reforms are essential to strengthen Indias patent system, promote innovation, and ensure fair recognition of intellectual contributions in an increasingly collaborative technological landscape.
  Keywords: inventorship; joint inventions; true and first inventor; India patent; India; USA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10076700
   
  
• Contractual governance of intellectual property in open innovation: a comparative risk-based framework  
  by Andreza Cristina Baroni, Andréa Torres Barros Batinga De Batinga De Mendonça, Fernanda Salvador Alves 
  Abstract: Although the literature recognises the importance of contracts in managing collaborative innovation, few studies have examined the legal risks arising from their absence, particularly in legal systems that privilege the individual inventor, such as Brazil. This theoreticalexploratory article critically analyses the relationship between open innovation, contracts and IP governance, drawing on academic literature and relevant national and international legislation. The findings advance a conceptual framework that comprises three risk dimensions, demonstrating that the absence of formal contracts can trigger ownership disputes, additional costs of innovation exploitation, and uncertainty in inter-organisational collaborations. A comparison across Brazil, the USA, the European Union and China indicates that, while in foreign contexts contracts often function as complementary instruments, in Brazil they assume a structural role in enabling the appropriation and commercialisation of innovation outcomes. The study underscores the salience of contracts as key governance mechanisms and proposes normative and strategic guidelines for firms, policymakers and researchers seeking to consolidate collaborative innovation ecosystems.
  Keywords: open innovation; OI; intellectual property governance; contractual mechanisms; legal risks.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2026.10077658
   
  
• The evolving nature of intellectual capital: assessing components and methodologies toward hybrid, AI-ready frameworks  
  by Zubair Yousif Zargar, Mehraj Ud Din Shah, Musadiq Amin Sahaf 
  Abstract: Intellectual capital (IC) has evolved beyond traditional components (human, structural, and relational) to include emerging elements like social, technological, and spiritual capital, creating a critical measurement challenge in todays knowledge economy. This systematic review (20002025) reveals that quantitative tools (e.g., VAIC, Tobins Q) lack strategic depth while qualitative frameworks (e.g., balanced scorecard) face scalability limitations. Our primary contribution addresses this gap through a hybrid, AI-enhanced measurement architecture that integrates multi-source data for real-time IC analytics. This framework enables dynamic capability building through continuous sensing and adaptation, while incorporating essential governance protocols for ethical implementation. The study provides both a theoretical bridge between IC and dynamic capabilities literature, and practical pathways for organisations to transform intangible assets into sustained competitive advantage through validated, sector-specific approaches.
  Keywords: intellectual capital; measurement metrics; relational capital; social capital; dynamic capabilities; AI-assisted evaluation; VAIC model; hybrid frameworks.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10077659
   
  
• Intellectual capital and firm performance: the role of knowledge and innovation evidence from SMEs in Vietnam  
  by Tam Phan Huy 
  Abstract: This study examines the impact of intellectual capital on firm performance, emphasising the mediating roles of knowledge management and innovation and the moderating effects of organisational culture and technological turbulence. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), data from 342 SMEs in Vietnam were analysed to assess these relationships. The findings confirm that intellectual capital significantly enhances firm performance, both directly and indirectly through knowledge management and innovation. Moreover, organisational culture strengthens the intellectual capital-firm performance relationship, highlighting the importance of a collaborative and knowledge-sharing culture. Conversely, technological turbulence negatively moderates this relationship, suggesting that firms in dynamic technological environments face challenges in fully leveraging intellectual capital for performance improvement. This study contributes to theories, providing theoretical and practical insights into optimising intellectual capital for competitive advantage. The results emphasise the need for firms to develop strategic knowledge management systems, foster innovation, and build adaptive capabilities to mitigate technological disruptions.
  Keywords: intellectual capital; IC; knowledge management; KM; innovation; firm performance; FP; Vietnam.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2026.10077777
   
  
• Ethical and institutional aspects of copyright in Gen AI for legal academia  
  by Anwesha Pal, Aranya Nath, Sneha Maji, Suman Mohanty, Sovna Parida, Parismita Nanda, Gautami Chakravarty, Debashrita Manik, Kritika Poornomy Mohanta 
  Abstract: Legal education in the digital era has progressed with the emergence of Gen AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot. Students are using these tools for their internal assessments, creating PowerPoint presentations, and more. However, the authors are concerned about authorship, creativity, and academic integrity of AI-generated works. Similar to Copyright Law, there are no clear provisions regarding the authorship of AI-generated works. Therefore, it is important to understand whether AI-generated works can be protected by copyright under the Copyright Act. Since the Indian Copyright Act does not explicitly support AI-generated creations, we need to determine which legal framework allows Indian law schools to incorporate Gen AI responsibly without infringing copyright or undermining authorship standards. This research article addresses these issues through doctrinal and comparative analysis, including authorship, originality, legality of text and data mining (TDM), and campus intellectual property (IP) governance, and offers several suggestions to develop a structured framework for managing the legal challenges of AI in legal education. The most significant contribution of this article is the development of a doctrinally grounded and practically applicable framework that enables Indian law schools to adopt generative AI tools responsibly while upholding academic integrity, copyright compliance, and authorship standards.
  Keywords: copyright law; academic; ethics; Gen AI; institutional governance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2026.10077831
   
  
• Mitigating managerial opportunism through intellectual capital: insights from a fragile emerging economy  
  by Alaa Jarrar, Duha Jamal Rabaia, Raed Abdelhaq, Ammar Zakaria Salem, Jawad Zaki Eleyan, Muiz Abu Alia 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) and earnings management (EM) among firms listed on the Palestine Exchange, an environment marked by persistent political and economic instability, over the period 20132022. Using panel data analysis on 43 firms (430 firm-year observations) and employing the Kothari performance-adjusted model to estimate discretionary accruals as a proxy for EM, the study finds a significant negative relationship between overall IC efficiency and EM. Additional analysis reveals that human capital efficiency primarily drives this relationship, highlighting the crucial role of skilled human resources in promoting transparency and reducing managerial opportunism. The findings underscore the importance of investing in human capital development, ethical culture, and stakeholder-oriented strategies to limit EM and improve reporting quality, particularly in fragile institutional contexts such as Palestine.
  Keywords: earnings management; Kothari model; intellectual capital efficiency; ICE; value-added intellectual coefficient; VAIC; Palestine stock exchange.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2026.10077832
   
  
• Protecting the soul of India: traditional and tribal designs under the Indian Designs Act, 2000  
  by Ankit Shrivastava, Arti Aneja, Gurleen Kaur 
  Abstract: Indias tribal and traditional designs are not mere embellishments but expressions of collective heritage and identity. However, these living traditions face vulnerabilities under the present Indian Designs Act, 2000. This paper analyses how the current intellectual property system provides inadequate protection for tribal designs, which are usually created by communities and are passed down orally through generations. Through a doctrinal analysis of the Act, the study demonstrates that focus on elements such as novelty, industrial application, and individual authorship excludes the indigenous art forms. Discussing examples of unauthorised use of traditional cultural expressions, the paper exposes the misappropriation of traditional knowledge. Guided by comparative analysis including Panamas Guna Yala regulations, Maori IP initiatives, and recent international developments such as the Riyadh Design Law Treaty and WIPO IGC Session 51 outcomes, recommendations are advanced towards the adoption of a community-sensitive mode of protection. The paper advocates for a sui generis legislation, a Traditional Designs Registry, linkages with geographical indications law, and mandatory benefit-sharing mechanisms.
  Keywords: traditional cultural expressions; TCEs; tribal designs; Indian Designs Act; 2000; community ownership; intellectual property reform; cultural misappropriation; Riyadh Design Law Treaty; International TCE Protection; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10077833
   
  
• Copyright in the age of generative AI: economic stability, ethical risks and legal fragmentation in creative sectors  
  by Talapaka Soujanya 
  Abstract: The introduction of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in some of the creative industries is presenting novel economic, legal, and ethical dilemmas. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, including a survey (N = 200), social media sentiment analysis (8,500+ posts), review of legal/policy documents and cases (12, 10+ docs), and economic data. Overall, the findings document an absence of significant revenue decline (2.4%, ns), neutral in the music and visual arts sectors and slight revenue gains in writing and design. Greater awareness of AI predicts greater support for the enforcement of copyright (2 (4) = 20.1, p < 0.001). An examination of 18 AI models found a strong inverse relationship between the presence of consented training data and bias (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Since 2022, sentiment related to AI has become less negative and more evenly divided. The legal review revealed the presence of fragmented governance within and across jurisdictions. The provision of harmonised legislation, transparent datasets, and the participation of creators will provide a means of managing the balance between the rights of creators and the legal rights of innovation.
  Keywords: creative industries; copyright and intellectual property; economic impact; public perceptions and awareness; dataset transparency and bias; legal and policy frameworks.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10077938