During the last PWS session, Richa Pushpam, Associate, hosted a discussion on “Can Decentralizing Trademark Offices Improve IP Access in India’s Non-Metropolitan Regions?” The participants discussed on the centralized structure of trademark offices in metropolitan regions. The attorneys concluded that, despite its intent to increase accessibility, decentralization may not be practical at this stage, and efforts should be directed towards strengthening the digital infrastructure of the IP system and simplifying procedures to improve IP access across non-metropolitan regions. 

A ‘Legal Issues Seminar – General IP’ (LIS-GIP) was conducted by Vaidehi Gupta, Senior Associate Designee on “Can an entity carry on the business of licensing sound recordings without obtaining copyright society registration?”

The seminar dealt with the ongoing debate on whether the business of licensing requires an entity to secure registration as a Copyright Society. The discussion traced the lineage of decisions given by the High Courts of Delhi, Bombay, and Madras, and highlighted the complexities of defining the requirement under the Copyright Act that the business of licensing should necessarily take place through a registered Copyright Society. The discussion concluded with the view that the requirement of obtaining Copyright Society registration requires a close and careful analysis of the business models of entities that license works to the public at large to ensure that they are compliant with the requirements of the law.

The presentation can be accessed here.

ALG’s Sheja Ehtesham, Ashwani Balayan, and Aparna Sreedhar will be attending the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting 2025 in San Diego from May 17–21. This year’s theme, “The Business of IP,” underscores the role intellectual property plays in fostering innovation and driving business growth. The conference features three key tracks—Law and Policy; Business and Technology; and Professional Development and Career Advancement.

If you would like to meet in San Diego, please reach out.

Devesh Kapoor, Senior Associate Designee and Shivanshi Gupta, Associate, attended the 2nd Edition of the National Conference on Logistics and Warehousing for Viksit Bharat, organized by ASSOCHAM. The conference highlighted the critical role of intellectual property protection in fostering innovation in the logistics and warehousing sector, as it ensures that new technologies and processes are safeguarded, incentivizing further development. It also encouraged collaboration among key stakeholders to enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights, as this collective effort is crucial for addressing challenges, improving legal frameworks, and ensuring long-term growth in the sector.

In the recent PWS session, Nivrati Gupta, Associate, hosted a discussion on “Should Freedom of Expression Take Precedence Over Trademark Rights in Parody, Satire, and Criticism?” In the session the attorneys discussed the delicate balance between trademark protection and freedom of expression, in the context of parody, satire, and criticism. The attorneys explored how the law should distinguish between protecting brand identity and allowing space for creative and critical commentary.