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Abstract Platform ecosystem presents a significant new context for intellectual property (IP) governance, yet existing researches have paid insufficient attention to this area. Current studies lack a comprehensive exploration of the internal mechanisms and implementation processes of platform enterprises’ IP governance within the platform ecosystem. This study adopts the perspective of digital enablement and leverages an exploratory single-case study method, drawing on Alibaba’s innovative practices of utilizing platform data and digital technologies to improve IP governance. By investigating how platform enterprises exploit the digital advantages inherent in platforms to enable IP governance, this study constructs a process mechanism model, offering a novel perspective on governance strategies in the platform ecosystem. The findings demonstrate: (1) Digital enablement in IP governance by platform enterprises encompasses not only the traditional focus on IP protection but also extends to upstream IP creation (rights confirmation) and downstream IP application (rights utilization). This approach achieves comprehensive governance across the entire IP lifecycle, including rights confirmation, rights protection, and rights utilization. (2) Through leveraging digital platforms’ capabilities in datafication, intelligence, and networking, platform enterprises implement digital rights confirmation, intelligent rights protection, and ecological rights utilization. This enables an authorization economy, timely rights enforcement, and seamless IP application, thereby addressing the unique challenges of IP governance in digital environments.
The study makes several theoretical contributions. First, it fills a critical gap in IP governance research by introducing the context of platform ecosystems, thereby expanding the theoretical connotation of IP governance in this setting. Second, it provides a detailed explanation of the process mechanism through which platform enterprises utilize their digital advantages to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of IP governance. Third, the research deconstructs digital advantages into three distinct dimensions—datafication, intelligence, and networking—and articulates how these dimensions facilitate different aspects of IP governance. Finally, the study highlights the essential role of digital enablement in capturing the value of innovation, addressing a significant deficiency in existing researches that primarily focus on value creation while neglecting the equally critical aspect of value protection. In terms of practical implications, the study offers actionable strategies for platform enterprises to improve IP governance measures, helping innovators better protect and profit from their innovations. It also provides guidance for governments, platform managers, and platform participants (e.g., merchants) to collaboratively strengthen governance practices. By offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and implementing IP governance, this study contributes to both academic discussions and practical solutions, ultimately advancing the ability of digital platforms to foster innovation, protect intellectual assets, and support sustainable ecosystem development.
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Published: 22 July 2025
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