Intellectual Property & Data Protection: What You Should Know

1. Introduction

The convergence of Intellectual Property ("IP") rights with data protection has become a topical issue due to the increased dependence by individuals and companies on technology to create, manage and leverage their intellectual assets. In Nigeria, the intersection between both regimes is becoming noticeable, fuelled by legislative reforms, global compliance standards and increasing digital adoption. A single innovation may be simultaneously protected by IP rights and also be subject to data protection regulations.

Still, the goals of these seemingly interconnected regimes can be viewed as 2 sides of a coin. While IP law seeks to reward and protect innovation and creativity, by granting exclusivity and control to creators and owners, data protection law safeguards the personal information of individuals, giving them control over how their data is collected, processed, and shared.