The Impacts of the Internet on the Characteristics of Intellectual Property

The emergence of the internet makes it possible for human beings to share fruits of various civilizations. The internet completely breaks the physical barriers to the exchange of information and intelligence. It brings about broad and profound influence to all areas of human society, especially the characteristics of intellectual property laws. The impacts can be summarized as follows: The locality of the intellectual property has been weakened, which has enhanced internationalization and regionalization. The coordination among international organizations and involvement of international arbitration will play increasingly important roles. The time limits of the intellectual property have been affected in opposite directions: the protection periods have been prolonged or shortened based on different objects concerned. Time limits will no longer be a general feature of intellectual property. The impact on exclusivity is also impacted in opposite directions: the strengthening and weakening effects coexist. The scope of "duplication" has been greatly enlarged, reflected in the emergence of publication over the net.