A Review of Research on Data Rights Mechanisms

In the digital economy, data has become a key production factor whose potential remains constrained by institutional challenges. This review systematically analyzes the evolving framework for data rights mechanisms, with particular focus on China's innovative “Tripartite Rights Separation” model that structurally delineates data resource holding rights, data processing and usage rights, and data product operating rights. The study examines how categorized and graded management systems, coupled with technological safeguards like privacy-preserving computation, help define data usage boundaries while balancing value creation with security requirements. It further explores the development of multi-layered protection systems and market-oriented benefit distribution mechanisms based on contribution assessment. Despite significant institutional progress, persistent challenges include theoretical ambiguities in data ownership, difficulties in ensuring fair benefit sharing for individual data providers, and the need for better circulation-security balance. The conclusion emphasizes the need for a refined property rights system, deeper technology-institution integration, and scalable pilot programs to build a robust and equitable data governance mechanism.