The concept of intellectual property (IP) rights in the metaverse is a rapidly developing field due to the metaverse’s infancy. Initial discussions centered on challenges of applying existing IP law to a virtual world, including ownership of creations, trademark infringement in virtual spaces, and copyright issues in user-generated content. As the metaverse concept matured, the focus shifted towards adapting existing legal frameworks or creating new ones specific to the metaverse. This involves analyzing how trademarks function for virtual goods and how copyright applies to creations within this space. With a growing understanding of the legalities, discussions are exploring opportunities like new types of trademarks and patents related to VR/AR technology, and monetization of user-generated content through proper copyright management. International collaboration is expected to address these challenges by evolving legal frameworks, establishing standardization and best practices, and ultimately unlocking new opportunities for creators in the metaverse.
