Susan Sontag, an American writer, once said: “Intelligence is really a kind of taste; taste in ideas.” It implies the obvious fact that the root of innovative ideas is the intellect. Intelligence is the uniqueness of the human being. It is a wonder that brings about abstract ideas; scores of them!

What is intellectual property? In emphasis, it can be defined as a creation of the human intellect. To avoid theft of content, it is protected with patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. Intellectual property, as the name suggests, originates from the human psyche, be it artistic works, scholarly endeavours, commercial names, facsimiles, logos, business statements or as simple as company policies that one desires to protect.

Our youth of today undoubtedly plays an indispensable role in contributing to the future along with creating better present conditions. Young minds are extremely active and beaming. They can yield ideas and notions far more intuitive and riveting than at any other age. Accordingly, they are expected to produce meticulous intellectual properties, fresh and new. As we know it is only the young eccentric age when humans are the most curious and always probing. They aim to discover, travel and explore new horizons.  Also, it is relatively easier nowadays to speak up especially due to platforms such as social media and the internet. It is effortless to become an influencer which would be quite useful particularly when one wants to make a change on a large scale.

For instance, [1]Kazumi Muraki is a young scientist, inventor and director of the Carbon Recovering Research Agency (CRRA), Japan. He is the inventor of the world’s smallest CO2 capturing machine-‘Hiyassy’. A carbon-capturing machine, looking at the self explanatory name, suggests a good possibility of combating rising carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere and global warming in turn as well. Ana Carolina of Colombia is another young entrepreneur who has introduced ‘biodegradable detergents’ targeting to enhance water quality.  Another bright idea capable of battling the explosive plastic pollution of today is ‘Bioplastic’ introduced by another young woman entrepreneur Neeam Al Harrasi of Oman. Thus, it can be observed how archaic and original schemes young minds can beget. This coupled with problem solving skills and new world issues can give rise to groundbreaking discoveries of new ideas and solutions for a better future.

Futuristic solutions reflecting creativity can ensue from young and modern entrepreneurs, creators and artists. Accordingly, it helps in contributing to the progress of societies around the globe.

New inventions suiting the needs of the modern, rapidly-changing industry are protected by patents. Foodstuffs, drinks or a unique creation belonging to a certain place will be protected by Geographical Indications (GIs). Brands like Gucci, Versace, and Dior with their logos and names are protected by trademarks, because of which they rank the highest in the world’s best designer brands. The designs they create, on the other hand, will be registered. Competitive and new stories written by authors are protected by imposing copyrights to protect their integrity.

First, let us evaluate the benefits of intellectual property and what its rights (IPR) can dispense for one, in connection to how young people can innovate using them. In essence, IPs contribute enormously to the betterment of the state and national economies. For instance, they facilitate the establishment of top companies and businesses. The imposing of patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc on any valuable inventions or ideas would in a way ‘lock’ and protect it confining it only to the party in consideration. Who would ever doubt the fact that McDonald’s is indeed at the zenith of multinational fast food corporations of the world? Or why is the ‘BMW’ automotive company valued at about a whopping $40 billion despite having various competitors? Why does everyone order Pizza Hut or Dominos despite having other pizza takeaways? Undeniably, these companies, with their unique logos, slogans and company names, armed with strong copyrights rule the industry thanks to IPRs.

An IP equipped with IPRs not only does the job of protecting the idea but also protects the company or organization. To illustrate, a person working in an organization has designed its logo. Thus, he has certain rights on its trademark that allow him to acquire commercial benefits from his particular efforts. As these advantages are only exclusive to him and his company; other companies would have to come up with newer ideas which do not resemble something that already exists.

We are facing major global challenges near the future and to tackle them is in the hands of today’s young people, who are the adults of tomorrow. Today, young people have an even better chance of voicing their opinion thanks to technology and the internet being ubiquitous. Global issues, both social and environmental are getting more serious and are posing threats to the wellbeing of future generations. Health issues such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, substance abuse, mental health and heart diseases now account for 70% of all deaths worldwide[2]. The evils of world economic crises especially in the face of wars, corruption, violence, human trafficking, discrimination and lack of education are only a few mentioned. IP can prove to be the only saviour in the face of these problems. People have opportunities to come up with more challenging solutions with the guarantee of protecting those using IPRs so that more solutions are produced as a benefit to society.

On the other hand, ecological troubles cannot be ignored. The evils of global warming spread their curse everywhere. Rising sea levels, melting snowcaps and consequently, loss of habitat is escalating at alarming levels. Climate change has taken such a toll on the environment that scientists fear that Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.[3] In fact, on Earth Day 2022, the Google doodle showed real- time lapse imagery depicting the plight of climate change around the planet during the last 20 years till today.

Nowadays, we can see how better standards of education help people to understand problems well. For example, newer companies with fresh young faces are coming up with ideas such as ‘cruelty-free materials’ as substitutes for everyday items that may use leather and other animal-derived clothing. Generally, non biodegradable plastic is switched to more eco-friendly substitutes such as biopolymers, cellulose-based or other plant-based resources. Recyclable materials are now even more in demand due to a better business response. There is an ever-increasing need for supplies for the ever-growing population. One can come up with a distinctive idea or a formula for an environmental solution and license it with an IPR. This way, the particular idea is now taken and people would have to think of something even better and more competitive. As a result, one recognizes his talent and creativity.

Moreover, IP is not only confined to addressing world issues. The entertainment industry is another booming sector where everything works in the hands of artists. In digital content, music is the most frequently accessed of them. Movies and series, games, sports, educational content and e-newspapers and magazines follow it. Films and music always have copyrights and it is not quite easy nowadays to produce new content especially when one realizes that all ideas are taken and he has to work even harder to make better content.

Nevertheless, newer ideas are introduced by the youth which may not have worked previously due to lack of technology. Advanced features such as watching movies online, buying a subscription on an entertainment website for extra benefits, or buying a monthly membership. Simultaneously, there is a wider range of choices to choose from as movies and series are now available OTT (over the top). The introduction of OTT allows new writers to showcase stories original and relevant to the present times. In the financial year 2018, the OTT market share in India was worth ₹2,150 crores (₹21.5 billion, US$303 million as of 2018), and its value grew to ₹35 billion in 2019[4]. Thus, the availability of more choices gives a chance to more artists to present their talent and creativity beating monotony as movies were only limited to the theatres previously.

NOTE: OTT stands for ‘Over The Top’. It refers to digital content streamed by any service over the internet such as movies and series.

Worldwide, the United States Cinema or Hollywood is the largest film industry and the most profitable. Hence, IPRs on the movies safeguard the innovations of making films and protect the creators and actors. Young people can come up with ideas of their own, applicable to the youth without the fear of getting robbed of their ideas because of IPRs.

A recent joint survey was taken by the IPOPHL-WIPO (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines- World Intellectual Property Organization). The survey reported that the youngest age group supported pirated digital content. These are the illegally reproduced movies, books or music. Some young respondents mentioned the ease of accessing free content as compared to buying from official stores. [5]“Given these findings, the work to create an IP-conscious and respectful generation must be at the top of our country’s agenda. We need to take active measures to help them understand the importance of IP as young as they are,” IPOPHL Director-General Rowel S. Barba said.

The food market is undoubtedly one of the leading markets. However, the prevalence of food shortages and failed crops is on a steady rise. More food security problems are prevalent because of climate change. There is an increased need for genetically modified crops with greater resistance to the rapidly changing climate. New varieties can be introduced using the latest technologies not just limited to the conventional technique of growing in soil. Aeroponics and hydroponics are the most recent innovations. Good use of these and other techniques can prove to be vital.

First, it is reasonably crucial to know about IP. The subject of IP could be introduced in schools and educational institutions so that every child knows that IP is present everywhere. The books we read, the music we listen to, and the movies and series that we watch all are the products of someone’s mind. Also, IPRs do the job of protecting them from plagiarism. It is important to realize that IPs should be respected because they come with economic benefits and may support the livelihood of many people. Cleverer, more creative ideas will be introduced in the future as solutions for problems. Thus, IPRs would be necessary to guard them.

To sum up, today’s young people can do wonders, armed with their resilience, intellect, newer ideas and competitive technology. Intellectual property and its rights can prove to be extremely helpful in several ways. One can come up with more innovative inventions, be it in industry, in literature or as simple as names and images. It would not be more reassuring than to know that their created works will be protected by patents, copyrights and trademarks, on a legal scale.

Keeping these in mind, a young individual has all the right ingredients to write their own story. Using IP and its rights in the right way, one can paint the town red while enjoying every benefit it comes with!

[1] https://www.wipo.int

[2] https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/what-is-global-health

[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health

[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

[5] https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/22/youth-most-vulnerable-to-pirated-digital-content-survey/