By Rita Okoye
As the year 2023 draws to a close, Daphne Ekpe emerges as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking voices in the global conversation around Intellectual Property (IP), digital innovation, and internet governance.
From publishing a widely celebrated article on the dangers of copyright trolling to earning a coveted spot in the NextGen@ICANN79 cohort, Daphne’s work this year has not only elevated her status but is actively shaping the future of digital rights and IP protection.
In May, Daphne released a groundbreaking scholarly article titled “Copyright Trolling in Use of Creative Commons Licenses”, published in the American University Intellectual Property Brief. The article examined how bad-faith actors exploit Creative Commons licensing to intimidate well-meaning creators and extract settlements under the guise of legal enforcement. Her work provides critical analysis of the tension between open licensing frameworks and the realities of digital exploitation, an issue becoming increasingly relevant in today’s content-driven world.
Capping off her incredible year, Daphne was selected in November as a NextGen@ICANN79 participant by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a globally recognized organization at the forefront of internet governance. Her selection is a testament to her leadership in advancing policy discussions on AI, domain name disputes, data privacy, and IP rights in emerging technologies. She will attend the ICANN79 Community Forum in Puerto Rico in March 2024, where she will join a select group of young professionals from across the globe to participate in high-level conversations on the future of internet infrastructure and IP governance. This achievement not only highlights Daphne’s international recognition but also reflects her influence in shaping conversations that impact the digital economy and creative innovation worldwide.
From publishing an impactful scholarship to influencing global policy at ICANN, Daphne Ekpe has proven herself to be one of the most dynamic IP professionals of her generation. As she continues to champion equitable access to intellectual property rights and drive innovation through policy-driven solutions, 2023 marks only the beginning of what promises to be a globally impactful career.