Ip protection of databases under the Fourth Industrial Revolution

In the era of the fourth industrial revolution and the knowledge economy, data has emerged a critical economic asset, driving innovation, technological advancements, and competitive advantages across industries. Databases play a fundamental role in this ecosystem, allowing large volumes of data to be stored, processed and in general exploited. However, the current legal protection regime for databases, primarily grounded in copyright law, was conceived in a vastly different technological and economic context. This outdated framework may not fully address the complexities and challenges posed by modern digital environments, where data is rapidly generated, shared, and utilized. It is necessary to re-evaluate and adapt current regulations to guarantee effective protection in a dynamic digital environment, while ensuring access and ethical reuse of data.