The metaverse: a new frontier of design protection

Entrants into the metaverse should be aware that design, patent and copyright protection varies greatly across the world’s major markets, explains Gopinath AS of K&S Partners.

The metaverse is more than just a digital space; it's an expansive universe. Every month, 400 million users dive in, their digital avatars exploring 3D worlds, powered by virtual and augmented realities. They attend concerts, purchase goods, play sports, build homes and live lives here. As Mark Zuckerberg once said: “[The] Metaverse isn’t a thing a company builds. It’s the next chapter of the internet overall.”

Seeing the obvious trajectory of these trillion-dollar spaces, industries like gaming, retail, arts, healthcare, and blockchain are participating in this emerging ecosystem. From Nike to Gucci, brands are designing clothes and accessories for the metaverse. Even J.P. Morgan and Samsung have set up shop.

However, as this digital frontier expands, so does the complexity of intellectual property (IP) protection. How can creators and brands safeguard their designs and innovations? IP rights in the metaverse encompass patents for technology, trademarks for brand identity, and copyrights for source codes and digital art.