Cyberbullying through misuse of Intellectual Property: A Human Rights Perspective

The internet, which has made it easier to connect people worldwide and made knowledge accessible to a large number of people with only a mouse click, has affected every facet of human existence. Cyberbullying is a type of online communication that threatens or harasses someone, damages their reputation or privacy, and has long-term effects. In the digital era, there is increasing concern about cyberbullying through the misuse of intellectual property (IP). A major problem in the digital age, cyberbullying has emerged as a result of the widespread use of cell phones, instant messaging apps, and social media platforms over the past 20 years. This paper explores pertinent provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, in order to analyse the legal foundation for dealing with cyberbullying in India. It emphasizes the necessity of more robust legal provisions to address this expanding problem. One of the core ideas of human rights is the right to privacy, which protects people from unjustified intrusions into their private lives. Although the Indian Constitution does not define it specifically, the Supreme Court has maintained that it is a derivative right derived from Article 21 and other constitutional requirements. In order to damage their reputation and finances, criminals take advantage of intellectual property (IP)-protected items, such as photos, films, creative work, or brand names, by modifying them maliciously, making fraudulent claims to ownership, or sharing them without permission. It highlights the difficulties in enforcing current legal protections under international IP frameworks, trademark laws, and copyright laws in the digital age. This study examines the relationship between copyright infringement and cyberbullying, examining the ways in which harassment is facilitated by the theft of digital information