A ‘Legal Issues Seminar- General IP’ (LIS-GIP) was conducted by Uroosa Shahzad, Associate, on “Whether Cause of Action to file an IP suit arises on the basis of reservations made through third-party websites?”. The seminar discussed relevant provisions under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 to determine territorial jurisdiction on the basis of cause of action. The session deconstructed decisions of the relevant High Courts wherein territorial jurisdiction was determined on the basis of online availability of third-party websites that facilitate making of bookings or reservations. The seminar involved an interesting discussion on whether mere online presence of an e-commerce business virtually can be the threshold for determining jurisdiction in cases involving the use of trademarks online. The session concluded with a discussion on whether Section 20 (c) of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 should be given a wider interpretation in cases of trademark infringement.

The presentation can be accessed here.

Interns – Aysha Sasmin, Lavlesh Khandelwal, Niyati Vishwakarma and Harsh Vardhan have commenced their General IP Internship with the firm’s law practice.

We hope their stay in the firm during the 4 week period of their internship will be mutually enriching and that the firm and they will learn exciting things from each other!

During last week’s Practice Work Shop (PWS), Nivrati Gupta, Associate hosted a discussion on “Whether manufacturer’s intellectual property rights disproportionally restrict the right to repair?”. The session revolved around the members discussing whether manufacturers’ intellectual property rights disproportionately restrict the right to repair. The session discussed how technology companies often limit access to parts, manuals, and software to protect their IP, arguing this is necessary for quality control and innovation. However, the members debated whether current IP enforcement strategies unfairly constrain independent repair services, harming consumer choice and convenience. The discussion emphasized the need to balance IP protections with consumer rights, manufacturer rights and environmental concerns, and considered potential reforms to patent, trademark, and copyright law to enable a more sustainable repair ecosystem.

As Pride Month came to an end, the cinephiles of ALG came together to encourage and engage in conversations around inclusivity through a discussion on the latest edition of ALG’s Movie Club Jeo Baby’s Kaathal – The Core. Kaathal is an engaging cinematic expression of the experience of being a member of this community and navigating the alleys of a society that is yet to fully comprehend their experience.

The members shared their perspective on various aspects of the film, from the political references to economic inequalities playing a role in the discrimination members of the LGBTQ+ community face in coming out to the society. The discussion also touched upon the representation of the various members of the community in cinema and the impact it has on a larger audience. The participants ended the discussion with a renewed appreciation for cinema and its ability to initiate discussion on the larger prejudices that continue to exist in society and bringing the lives of the various communities to the fore for the mainstream audience.

Recently, ALG’s administrative team participated in a workshop on LGBTQ+ inclusivity at the workspace conducted by our D&I Section. The workshop included a brief history of the LGBTQ+ movement and its current standing. The members also discussed various instances of discrimination that they have witnessed against the LGBTQIA+ community. In the workshop, the members participated in a group activity aimed at acknowledging and eliminating microaggressions at the work place and outside it against the community.

It was great to have everyone actively participate in the workshop and share their experiences and thoughts on making workplaces safe spaces for all!

Here’s to continuing our journey of inclusivity and respect, every day!