INTEGRATING DIGITAL FORENSICS INTO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR CYBERCRIME INVESTIGATION

AUTHOR – MADHURIKA DE* & DR. KABITA CHAKRABORTY**

* RESEARCH SCHOLAR, FACULTY OF LAW, ICFAI UNIVERSITY, TRIPURA

** PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF LAW, ICFAI UNIVERSITY, TRIPURA

BEST CITATION – MADHURIKA DE & DR. KABITA CHAKRABORTY, INTEGRATING DIGITAL FORENSICS INTO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR CYBERCRIME INVESTIGATION, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (13) OF 2025, PG. 423-433, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technologies has intensified the incidence of intellectual property (IP) violations, including copyright infringement, trade secret theft, and digital piracy. Traditional enforcement mechanisms remain inadequate in addressing these crimes due to the complex, cross-border, and technologically advanced nature of modern cybercrime. This article proposes a comprehensive framework for integrating digital forensic practices into intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement to enhance the investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of cyber-enabled IP offences. The proposed framework operates across three interconnected layers—technical, legal, and institutional—linking forensic readiness with IP protection strategies. It emphasizes forensic evidence acquisition, chain of custody preservation, and harmonization of legal standards to ensure admissibility and reliability of digital evidence. By aligning investigative procedures with judicial processes and policy mechanisms, the integration model strengthens cooperation among law enforcement agencies, IP offices, and cybersecurity institutions. The study highlights the need for standardized protocols, capacity building, and international collaboration to ensure effective digital enforcement of IPR in the evolving cyber ecosystem. Ultimately, integrating digital forensics into IP protection systems will advance transparency, accountability, and the overall resilience of global innovation frameworks.

 KEY WORDS :- Cybercrime; Digital Evidence; Digital Forensics; Intellectual Property Rights (IPR); Legal Framework