Guardians of Knowledge: Exploring the Ethical Landscape of Research and Intellectual Property Rights

Abstract

Creative concepts found in inventions, literary and artistic works, and various designs are protected by intellectual property rights (IPR), which are the official and legal mechanisms for doing so. Marks used on different products to differentiate them from similar ones that are for sale are included. However, over time, the term “intellectual property” (IP) has expanded too much, covering various aspects such as geographical indications, plant breeders’ rights, trade secrets, industrial designs, copyrights, patents, and trademarks (Dutfield, 2003, 2005). According to Nagy (2011), indigenous peoples have the right to preserve, control, protect, and develop their intellectual property (IP) related to traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and cultural heritage, as stated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007:11). Intellectual property rights (IPR) must be the only thing required to safeguard concepts, encourage originality and creativity, support design, and facilitate creation. IPR is also a moral and social obligation to respect humanity’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, support its diversification, and help in meeting the challenges of the modern, digital world. This is why the authors of this article, whether they are creative, emphasize the significance and meaning of IPR in the context of global ethics. Since the 1980s, the exponential increase in patented products across a wide range of industries has proven to be a reliable indicator of this new “knowledge economy”. The present study investigates various facets of research, such as respect for participants, transparency, and integrity, within the framework of research ethics and intellectual property rights.