Sheja Ehtesham, Managing Partner, will represent ALG at the Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG) Annual Meeting 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, from 8–11 October 2025.
 
The meeting brings together IP practitioners, in-house counsel, and industry leaders to discuss the future of pharmaceutical trademarks and regulatory strategy.
 
With extensive expertise advising leading pharmaceutical and life sciences companies on brand strategy, enforcement, and cross-border disputes, ALG looks forward to engaging with global peers and exploring the evolving landscape of IP, innovation, and brand protection in the global pharmaceutical industry.

During the last PWS session, Nivrati Gupta, Associate, hosted a discussion on “Does the Rise of Digital Media Branding Threaten the Value of Well-Known Trademarks?” The participants examined whether statutory recognition of well-known marks, long considered the pinnacle of brand protection, still provides the same strategic advantage in a digital marketplace shaped by algorithms, search rankings, and consumer engagement. The session explored how IP frameworks might adapt to protect brands in an environment where “brand spikes” and viral trends create significant equity outside of traditional, long-term use. It also addressed how brand narratives are increasingly shaped by user-generated content and social media, prompting questions about the strategies brands can adopt to maintain value beyond formal legal recognition. The discussion emphasized that while statutory protection remains crucial for enforcement, digital consumer recognition has become equally vital to a brand’s survival and growth.

The session focused on the standards for copyright protection in relation to compilations, particularly the shift from the traditional “sweat of the brow” doctrine to the requirement of a “modicum of creativity.” The session examined key judicial precedents regarding how Courts have assessed originality in the selection, arrangement, and coordination of material. It was noted that while effort and skill may be relevant, copyright protection is ultimately contingent on the presence of originality. The seminar concluded with the observation that the threshold for originality remains a nuanced and evolving issue under Indian copyright law.

The Presentation can be accessed here.

During the last PWS session, Shivanshi Gupta, Associate, hosted a discussion on “Whether a Centralized Digital Music Licensing Registry Strengthens Transparency and Equity in the Music Industry?” The participants examined whether such a registry could ensure equitable royalty distribution for independent artists, or if major record labels and established performers would continue to dominate revenue flows. The session also explored whether a centralized system would simplify licensing for small venues, startups, and digital platforms, or if increased compliance requirements and bureaucracy would pose new challenges. The attorneys further reflected on whether such a mechanism would promote fairness and accessibility in music licensing or risk reinforcing existing disparities within the industry.

The session focused on the evolving standards for establishing territorial jurisdiction in trademark infringement and passing off matters, with reference to key provisions of the Trade Marks Act and the Code of Civil Procedure. Through discussion of judicial precedents, the seminar examined how Courts have interpreted the listing or accessibility of products on e-commerce platforms such as IndiaMart. It was noted that mere online availability, in the absence of targeted engagement /commercial activity directed at the forum state, does not by itself confer jurisdiction. The seminar concluded with the finding that territorial jurisdiction is established only where there is demonstrable evidence of commercial intent or actual transactions within the forum state, and that passive or general online presence is insufficient. 

The Presentation can be accessed here.