Exploring Digital Rights Management in Modern Libraries: Present Scenario, Legal Perspectives, and Emerging Prospects in India

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital information resources has transformed library services and intensified the need for effective Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems to protect intellectual property while ensuring equitable access to knowledge. This article critically examines the evolving landscape, challenges, and future prospects of DRM in libraries within the digital era. DRM encompasses a range of technologies, protocols, and policies designed to regulate the creation, distribution, access, and use of digital content, thereby safeguarding the rights of authors, publishers, and content creators. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of digital library services, leading to unprecedented growth in electronic resources, including e-books, e-journals, online databases, electronic theses, dissertations, and institutional repositories. This study reviews the major DRM tools, techniques, implementation strategies, and best practices adopted by libraries, with particular emphasis on the Indian copyright framework and legal provisions governing digital information. It also explores the integration of DRM with library management systems and digital repositories to enhance secure content delivery, licensing compliance, and user authentication while supporting fair use and lawful access. The findings highlight that a balanced DRM framework strengthens the relationship among creators, content providers, and users by protecting intellectual property without undermining the fundamental mission of libraries to provide open and equitable access to information. The article concludes that future DRM strategies should prioritize interoperable technologies, user-centric policies, ethical standards, and collaborative governance to achieve sustainable digital knowledge management in academic and research libraries.