THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: A CRITIQUE

ABSTRACT The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Generative AI, in recent times spurred controversial global reactions, with more attention focusing on the paradigm shift in the legal terrain and perspectives on intellectual property rights (IPRs), as well as the holders of such rights. The ability of artificial intelligence to create works and inventions better and efficiently more than human creatures has resulted in debates on the potency of relevant intellectual property legislation, policy, and the regulation of artificial intelligence usage in the day-to-day activities of human, especially as they affect the creative individuals. The intersection between both areas has further created more legal disparities with respect to ingenious issues such as ownership and authorship of works and inventions, the infringements of IPRs by AI, collaboration between human and AI creatives among many others, thereby upsetting traditional IP practices and jurisprudence. In Nigeria, like most third-world countries, there have been less proactive reactions and responses towards the adoption of effective legislative reforms to ensure the regulation of AI and the protection of IPRs. In the light of this, this research paper seeks to critique the impact of artificial intelligence on intellectual property rights in Nigeria. It will examine the areas of IP and its laws, artificial intelligence as the crux of the modern technology and the underlying legal and ethical issues of IP following the advent of AI as they emerged. Essentially, the researcher seeks to highlight the loopholes in the relevant Nigerian IP laws and it affords an insight into the development of IP in Nigeria, by attempting a comparative study of Nigerian laws and other jurisdictions. The researcher intends to achieve this objective of this study by adopting a doctrinal method of research which places premium on library research. Finally, the project shall recommend legislation tending towards a balance between AI and IPRs in order to encourage creativity and innovation as one of the rationales heralding international perspective on IP.