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August 6, 2021
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Designs Database goes Digital: Designs E-Register now a...

The Designs office has now made its register electronically available, thus joining the ranks of the Patents E-register, making the database of registered designs available in entirety. ......
June 30, 2021
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Unshackling the Art World: NFTs, Blockchain, and Copyri...

In the first part of this two-part series, we offered a brief overview of NFTs and their applicability in the art world. This second part discusses the copyright and other related legal implications surrounding NFTs. ......
June 29, 2021
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Unshackling the Art World: NFTs, Blockchain, and Copyri...

The business of purchasing art is traditionally associated with the sale of unique, physical objects whose source was verified by galleries, auction houses and, typically, a trail of paper, to distinguish an original from a copy. In the physical world, you can simply go and buy a painting that you wish to hang on your wall. ......
May 12, 2021
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To Litigate or Arbitrate, a “Heroic” Dilemma

As intellectual property disputes grow in number in India, corresponding questions arise regarding the most appropriate adjudicating authority to be approached for redress. Besides regular courts, IP disputes also occasionally make their way into arbitrations. But the circumstances under which IP disputes can be referred to arbitration are not always clear. ......
May 3, 2021
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Who Judges Whom: Turf Wars, Forum Shopping and Anti-sui...

An anti-suit injunction is an order by the court which restricts a party from filing or continuing with proceedings in another court, including foreign courts, with regard to the subject matter of the suit. When courts are approached by a party seeking an anti-suit injunction, they generally establish a ‘forum conveniens’, i.e., determine the most appropriate forum to decide upon the dispute. ......
April 7, 2021
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Is your original work automatically protected by copyri...

One of the first questions that comes to the mind of an artist or a creator, as soon as a work is created, is how can the work be protected. Is protection available only if the work is “registered”, or does protection follow automatically from the time of its creation? The issue of whether copyright registration is compulsory or not is a long standing one; and due to various conflicting judgements in India, artists and creators have always been uncertain about this matter. ......
March 17, 2021
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The art and craft of franchising in India

Licensing and franchising intellectual property (IP) offer strategic competitive advantages to a brand. Franchising is a situation where a franchisor controls and supervises the exploitation of a trademark while allowing the use of the tradename, the get up and the reputation and goodwill associated with the trademark. ......
March 5, 2021
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Gathering evidence in IP suits: The Thin Line between I...

There are several ways in which evidence can be gathered in intellectual property (IP) suits, including through discoveries and cross examinations. Discovery takes place pre-trial, where parties can exchange information regarding the evidence and witnesses to be presented to the court. ......
February 12, 2021
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The War of the Soaps on a pH Scale: HUL vs Sebamed

In an advertisement war against consumer goods major Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), a competing company, USV Private Limited, has dragged the former’s well-known brands Lux, Pears, Dove and Rin in an “open pH challenge”. USV’s advertising strategy has shaken up India’s affordable soap market that was otherwise confidently relying on lucrative advertisements by movie stars without any reference to scientific data. ......

The RBI Updated Master Directions on Foreign Investment for 2025

On January 20, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") introduced significant updates to its master directions on foreign investment in India ("Master Directions"). This move aims to provide clarity on various regulatory aspects, particularly concerning downstream investments by Foreign-Owned or Controlled Companies. ...

Madras HC clarifies on Method of Treatment of Animals

In a recent decision, the Madras High Court has clarified the scope of exclusion from patentability under Section 3(i) of the Indian Patents Act, 1970, pertaining to methods of treatment for animals, among other things. ...

Design Registration for GUIs

The registrability of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) has had a chequered past in India. This post discusses latest developments in this matter, including the fallout of a 2023 Calcutta High Court asking the Designs Office to reconsider an order rejecting the application for registering a GUI design. ...

E-Commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance: Redefining Trust, Transparenc...

The Bureau of Indian Standards has released draft standards titled "E-commerce – Principles and Guidelines for Self-Governance" dated January 2025 (herein after referred to as the "Guidelines"). These Guidelines are imperative for the self-governance of e-commerce entities, ensuring fairness and transparency for all stakeholders including consumers and businesses. ...

HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL: ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

In a recent decision involving the reinstating of two civil judges in Madhya Pradesh, Justice Nagarathna of the Supreme Court made some key observations on the representation of women in the judiciary. ...

Delhi High Court lays down disclosure requirements for patent applications

The Delhi High Court clarifies that patent applicants must strictly comply with disclosure requirements in drafting complete specifications, and interprets the scope of Sections 3(c), 10(4) and 10(5) of the Patents Act in a recent decision. ...

Do Courts have the power to Modify Arbitral Awards?

On February 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of India ("Supreme Court") reserved its judgement on whether the powers of a court under Section 34 and Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 ("Act") extend to the modification of arbitral awards. The Supreme Court, while analysing precedents relating to these Sections, observed that some judgements have emphasized the lack of the courts. ...

MIB Issues Latest Advisory for OTT Platforms Amid Content Regulation Debate

Pursuant to the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act"), the personal data of a 'Data Principal' can be processed only in accordance with the DPDP Act and for a lawful purpose for which the Data Principal has given consent. This consent needs to be 'free, specific, informed, unconditional and unambiguous' with a clear affirmative action. ...

India’s Draft Guidelines On AYUSH Keep Traditional Knowledge And Innovations In Harmony

Pursuant to the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act"), the personal data of a 'Data Principal' can be processed only in accordance with the DPDP Act and for a lawful purpose for which the Data Principal has given consent. This consent needs to be 'free, specific, informed, unconditional and unambiguous' with a clear affirmative action. ...

RBI’s New Framework to Strengthen Payment Systems in India

Pursuant to the enactment of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 ("DPDP Act"), the personal data of a 'Data Principal' can be processed only in accordance with the DPDP Act and for a lawful purpose for which the Data Principal has given consent. This consent needs to be 'free, specific, informed, unconditional and unambiguous' with a clear affirmative action. ...