Legal models of digital objects in the EU: Experience and prospects for adaptation to Ukrainian legislation

The relevance of this study stems from Ukraine’s ongoing integration into the European Union’s legal framework and the growing need for legal regulation of digital objects, such as digital assets, artificial intelligence, and virtual assets. The study seeks to explore the legal regulation of digital objects within the EU and assess the prospects for its implementation in Ukraine. To achieve this objective, an analysis was conducted of the acquis communautaire, national legislation of EU member states, and key provisions of Ukrainian legislation in the specified field. The study identified the primary approaches to the legal regulation of digital objects in the EU and distinguished four main types of digital objects requiring different legal regimes. It was established that objects capable of existing in both digital and analogue forms may be subject to traditional legal regulation, taking into account the specificities of their digital use. A separate category comprises exclusively digital objects, which necessitates the development of specialised legal frameworks. Furthermore, the absence of a specific approach to regulating digital objects within the national legislation of EU member states was noted. It was also observed that the development of Ukraine’s national legislation aligns with European standards. Ukraine’s national legislation on regulating digital objects is evolving per the provisions of the acquis communautaire, driven by the country’s European aspirations and its commitment to aligning domestic legislation with that of the European Union. This development is taking place not only through the expansion of regulations addressing the specificities of digital object use but also through the adoption of specialised digital laws that provide overarching provisions for all digital objects. This approach is considered effective in formulating legal acts that comprehensively reflect the specific aspects of legal regulation concerning the creation and use of digital objects. The results of this study can be applied to the development of effective legal frameworks for regulating digital objects in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with both European and national standards