Intellectual property rights in e‐commerce industry of Bangladesh.

Evolution of internet and technology has led to an increase in electronic commerce (e‐commerce). Consequently, disputes regarding commercial use of the internet are emerging in many developed and developing countries. Many of these disputes concern the infringement of intellectual property (IP) rights. However, IP rights are, perhaps, spurned by many developing countries when it comes to e‐commerce—making it a timely study for many developing countries such as Bangladesh; whose e‐commerce industry is experiencing extraordinary growth in the past few years. Although Bangladesh embarked into e‐commerce years ago, however, judiciary of the country has not yet experienced disputes addressing IP rights in the e‐commerce industry. Mostly, because the significant connection of IP rights with e‐commerce are yet to comprehend. Against this backdrop, focusing on the propinquity between e‐commerce and IP rights, this paper examines the adeptness of the contemporary IP rights enactments of Bangladesh in protecting IP rights in e‐commerce industry of Bangladesh. Arguing that IP rights are the most essential and value‐bearing component of e‐commerce industry, the paper presents how IP rights are violated by various entities of the industry every now and then. The paper delineates the disputes of such nature which already exist but remained unaddressed because of the inadequate understanding of IP rights and loopholes in the Bangladesh IP enactments. The paper concludes by giving a persuasive guideline to protect the legitimate rights and interests of various entities of the e‐commerce industry in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]