Our administrators came together for a joyful and memorable Annual Lunch, filled with laughter, games, and a wonderful sense of togetherness beyond the everyday work routine.
At ALG, our administrators and paralegals form the backbone of our operations, the silent performers who ensure every process runs seamlessly behind the scenes and keeps ALG moving forward.
This year’s event celebrated team members’ achievements with various awards for their dedication and contribution to the firm.
During the last PWS session, Alolika Chakraborty, Trainee Associate, led a discussion on “Whether regulatory intervention is essential to address structural imbalances in India’s film industry?”. The session delved to discuss the reliability of existing online verification mechanisms on user-rating platforms, the effectiveness of gag orders & blanket injunctions in curbing paid reviews, and the need for a separate regulatory body to monitor manipulated online reviews. The Attorneys further discussed that how the paid reviews, covert influencer promotions, and review bombing have created a parallel economy of unregulated persuasion that distorts consumer perception and impacts production decisions, marketing budgets, release strategies, and post-release revenue cycles. The session concluded that while transaction-based verification appears to be the most effective way forward and organic user-rating ecosystems should not be regulated, regulatory efforts must focus on paid and AI-driven or bot-generated reviews.
During the last PWS session, Meghana Killampalli, Associate, hosted a discussion on “Whether co-branding is an effective remedy against cultural appropriation?” The Attorneys examined whether co-branding could balance the power dynamics between large entities and local artisans by ensuring fair compensation and market access. The Attorneys also discussed the commercial imbalance in bargaining powers leading to exploitation of culture and tradition, especially in light of blatant exploitation from foreign entities. The discussion concluded and emphasized that while co-branding may offer some consolation to those effected by cultural appropriation, it is imperative for the Government to bridge existing legal gaps and take proactive steps to safeguard Indian traditional knowledge globally.
A Legal Issues Seminar was conducted by Vanshika Gupta, Associate, on the Topic “Whether Compulsory License Requires Absolute Refusal By The Copyright Owner?”
The session examined the scope and interpretation of the compulsory licensing framework, focusing on whether outright refusal by the copyright owner is a precondition for invoking compulsory license. Through a discussion of judicial precedents, the seminar analyzed how courts have evolved in their understanding of “refusal”, extending it to include unreasonable or prohibitive licensing terms that effectively restrict public access. The seminar concluded that the legislative intent behind the compulsory licensing regime lies in preventing unjust withholding of works from the public and ensuring equitable access on fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory terms.
The Presentation can be accessed here.
Sheja Ehtesham and Ashwani Balayan will be at the International Trademark Association (INTA) Leadership Meeting next week in Hollywood, Florida.
The INTA Leadership Meeting brings together trademark and IP leaders from around the world to discuss global enforcement strategies, brand protection, and evolving challenges in the IP landscape. We’re looking forward to connecting with peers, exchanging ideas, and strengthening international collaborations.
