International Journal of Intellectual Property Management (17 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Intentions to upgrade software: evidence from Microsoft Windows users  
  by Thuy Dung Pham Thi, Nam Tien Duong 
  Abstract: In the business market, planned obsolescence is a marketing strategy employed by manufacturers to encourage consumers to purchase new products through frequent design updates and discontinuation of product maintenance and updates, thereby generating more profits. Therefore, this study adopts a perspective of planned obsolescence and integrates it with the push-pull-mooring model to establish a model for operating system upgrades and explore users intentions towards both genuine and pirated upgrade options. A questionnaire was administered to 296 Windows users, and the proposed model and hypotheses were validated using the PLS statistical software. The results indicate that planned obsolescence positively influences intentions for both genuine and pirated upgrades. Subjective norms and relative advantage positively influence users intentions to upgrade to genuine versions, while switching costs increase intentions for pirated upgrades and negatively influence intentions for genuine upgrades.
  Keywords: upgrade; windows; obsolescence; planned; intentions.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2024.10068662
   
  
• Evolving copyright paradigms in the age of live streaming in music and video piracies  
  by Aranya Nath, Gautami Chakravarty 
  Abstract: Modern technology, including artificial intelligence and chatbots, has revolutionised our lives, but it also has its downsides. Creativity and innovation are crucial for civilisations, and copyright protection is essential for preserving scientific and creative works. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in digital piracy, with illegal installations of taped broadcasts on user upload platforms (UUPs) causing a surge in piracy. In India, circumvention is considered a standalone violation despite copyright provisions and criminal penalties being provided for those who violate Digital Rights Management (DRM). Fair use acts are not punishable by law, and manufacturers and providers of DRM circumvention technology are not liable. This lack of enforcement hinders intellectual property rights progress and the digital ages growth. Comparative analysis of other countries laws is necessary to improve security in the digital age.
  Keywords: copyright law; live streaming piracy; content protection; digital rights management; streaming platforms.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2024.10068710
   
  
• Catalysing circularity: tackling intellectual property barriers to technology transfer and circular solutions in developing economies  
  by Latika Choudhary, Hardik Daga 
  Abstract: The imperative for transitioning to a circular economy is widely acknowledged as urgent. While the problems related to this transformation may differ among nations, it is crucial to perceive them as opportunities. One of the many challenges to this transformation is the significant lack of appropriate technologies. Facilitating the transfer of technology is becoming an essential requirement. Nevertheless, there are ongoing difficulties related to matters of ownership and the effective transfer of information, comprising both explicit and implicit or tacit knowledge. Given these difficulties, this study intends to offer practical insights and effective remedies for managing the obstacles of moving to a circular economy by systematically exploring options related to technical transfer, ownership delineation, and knowledge dissemination. By elucidating pathways to surmount these hurdles, this research endeavours to contribute to the advancement of circular economic paradigms on a global scale.
  Keywords: circular economy; technology transfer; tacit knowledge; knowledge leakage; IP ownership.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2024.10068905
   
  
• Beyond marketing: the motivation and challenge chapters behind Kumamons trademark management  
  by Chi-Fong Feng, Yu-Chan Chiu, Li-Chun Huang 
  Abstract: This study explores the unconventional trademark management strategies used by the Kumamoto Government to manage Kumamon, a mascot with widespread popularity in Asia, the US, and Europe. We investigate the motivations behind the governments shift in its trademark portfolio, focusing on the influence of collective intelligence (CI) in shaping these decisions. Through qualitative document analysis, we assess the role of CI, stakeholder collaboration, and legal factors in the Kumamoto Governments trademark strategy. Our findings reveal that CI significantly impacted these trademark decisions, while also identifying legal and business challenges related to rights ownership, estoppel, and trademark ownership. This research broadens the discussion beyond traditional marketing, contributing to the understanding of how CI affects brand image in the digital age. It also highlights the legal complexities of collaboratively created intellectual property, offering new insights into marketing management.
  Keywords: collective intelligence; Kumamon; ownership; trademark management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2024.10069043
   
  
• Transforming sustainability via competition law: a cutting-edge global framework for intellectual property  
  by R. Gokul, E. Prema 
  Abstract: European Union (EU) competition law aims to maintain and boost economic efficiency, which enhances consumer welfare by preventing innovation- or static-driven anti-competitive activity. IP rights must be preserved to promote sustainable innovation. Company, global, and functional enterprises, goods, and services value Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). It explores the complicated relationships between IP rights, competition law, and sustainability, creating a new paradigm for accomplishing the SDGs. The report examines Intellectual Property Rights, competition law enforcement, and sustainability factors like environmental impact, social responsibility, economic viability, and technological innovation in 15 nations from 2000 to 2023. Regression analysis and panel corrected standard errors show that strong competition law enforcement boosts IPs role in green innovation, market competitiveness, and equitable technology access. Important studies show that competition rules increase intellectual propertys sustainability, but poor enforcement reduces their usefulness. The study stresses that IP and competition rules must be harmonised for sustainability. Cross-tabulation and correlation analysis show how IP affects sustainability measures differently due to anti-competitive activity and market dominance rules. After analysing these relationships, the research makes policy proposals to align economic and legal systems with sustainability goals and enable innovation-driven, just global development.
  Keywords: intellectual property; competition law; sustainability; European Union; EU; green innovation; market competitiveness; Sustainable Development Goals; SDGs.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2024.10069560
   
  
• Inventors knowledge acquisition, self-innovation efficiency, and the role of organisation for patenting in high-quality green patent production in China  
  by Gao Yuan, Rahimi Abidin, Faisal Zulhumadi 
  Abstract: This research addressed the gaps in literature by measuring inventors knowledge acquisition ability and self-innovation efficiency and analysing the moderating role of the organisation for patenting, which refers to the internal structures, strategies, and management practices within firms that support patenting activities, such as patent culture, rewarding mechanisms, patent committees, and top management involvement. This concept is distinct from external patent-granting organisations and highlights how firms can internally enhance their ability to secure high-quality patents. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used for data collection using convenience sampling. 352 respondents of this research were professionals who hold formal positions in green innovation enterprises in China. The findings of measurement model assessment and structural model assessment were used for the analysis of data using Smart PLS 4. The study found significant correlations between inventors knowledge acquisition ability, self-innovation efficiency, and the role of firm-level patent organisations in high-quality green patent production. The study provides practical implications for firms to grant high-quality green patents successfully.
  Keywords: inventor’s knowledge acquisition; self-innovation efficiency; high-quality green patent; patent organisation; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10071650
   
  
• 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
   
  
• Patent protection by publicly funded R&D institutions with their research collaborators a case study from India  
  by Venkataraman Parthasarathy, Shruti Hapse, E. Muthukumar 
  Abstract: Collaborating for research is common R&D practices for development of new process and product. Several R&D institutions collaborate and showed their output in terms of research publication and patents. The information related to research collaborations can be retrieved from the assignee data available in patent databases. R&D institutions in India are allocated with budget from government. There are reports available on R&D institutions regarding their R&D output and outcomes, however, there is no specific study related to how government R&D institutions have explored opportunities in collaborations with other institutions. Hence, there is need to study collaborations by publicly funded R&D institutions in India by using patent information. This article includes collaborations between government and private organisations. It highlights perceptive from technology focused in collaborated patents. This study found that collaborative research have output in terms of the patents; however, the outcomes in terms of commercialisation were found to be low.
  Keywords: research collaboration; patents; assignee; technology area; international patent classification; IPC; public institution; private organisation; research and development; R&D; commercialisation; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10074484
   
  
• 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
   
  
• Exploring Ethiopias intellectual property rights system: prospects and grey areas for agro-food chain sector innovations  
  by Tadesse Kenea Amentae, Wei Song 
  Abstract: Ethiopia, one of the most agriculturally viable and biodiverse countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, continues to face food insecurity. Strengthening the intellectual property rights (IPR) regime could play a critical role in fostering innovation and supporting the countrys transition toward sustainable food security. This explorative study assessed Ethiopias IPR frameworks through article-by-article analysis, synthesising local and international legal documents to provide a comprehensive narrative analysis of their potential to drive agricultural innovation. The findings indicate that Ethiopias IPR system, covering copyright, patents, plant breeders rights, and trademarks, contains provisions that may encourage agricultural innovation. While Ethiopias alignment with international IPR treaties reflects its readiness to embrace innovation, gaps remain, including conflicts with certain accords, a lack of protection of geographical indications and traditional knowledge, weak institutional capacity, and limited enforcement. The study underscores the need to implement a geographical indications system and a sui generis framework for traditional knowledge. It also calls for revisions to the Plant Breeders Rights Proclamation to ensure administrative coordination, alongside stronger institutions and empirical research on monopolistic practices, biodiversity loss, and biopiracy to enhance IPRs role in agricultural innovation and food security.
  Keywords: agricultural innovations; Ethiopia; intellectual property rights; IPR;trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights; TRIPS; World Intellectual Property Organization; WIPO; World Trade Organization; WTO.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2025.10075676