The implications of emerging technologies on intellectual property rights in Nigeria: Blockchain and biometrics in perspective

The emergence of blockchain and biometrics has had profound implications for intellectual and privacy rights. These technologies can potentially revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare, supply chain management, finance, and e-government. Even though they have their benefits, there are significant concerns regarding security and privacy issues related to data protection, consent, identity theft, and surveillance. These emerging technologies can potentially disrupt traditional notions of privacy and intellectual property, as they rely on the collection and sharing of vast amounts of personal data, raising questions about ownership, control, and consent. Hence this paper examines how the integration of blockchain technology could play a pivotal role in protecting intellectual property rights by enabling secure and transparent transactions, while also addressing the challenges associated with privacy concerns in biometric data collection and usage. Adopting a doctrinal method of legal research, the study evaluates the potential of blockchain to enhance privacy and safeguard personal data against unauthorised access and breaches, aligning with global standards such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. Additionally, the paper explores the dynamics of biometrics as a means to bolster security and identity verification in various sectors, while also identifying its inherent risks related to privacy rights. The implications of these technologies are analyzed in light of Nigeria's legal framework, ethical considerations, and the need for policy development to regulate technology integration while preserving intellectual and privacy rights. The paper concludes that there is a need to establish robust protections and standards to mitigate the risks associated with the adoption of these technologies in Nigeria.