Intellectual Property Rights in a Digital Environment : An EU Wide Mapping of Available Legislative Enforcement Measures

In this paper, we will present some of our findings from a study conducted on legislative measures related to the online infringement of intellectual property rights commissioned by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on legislative measures related to online intellectual property rights infringements. The present summarizes the mapping the existing legislative national measures and implementation of European Union and international legislation in European Union member states directed at tackling online infringement. Serving as a background for an underling discussion on challenges posed by technology to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Namely focusing upon how to preserve the function and justification of intellectual property rights in a manner that is compatible with the need of emerging technologies, new business models and with the evolution of cultural attitudes towards intellectual property rights and their enforcement