During last week’s PWS session, Shreyak Patnaik (Trainee Associate) led a discussion on “Whether Controlled Digital Lending is detrimental to copyright owners’ rights?”. The session commenced with a brief discussion on what Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) entails and its possible impact on the functioning of libraries in the digital realm. The members discussed and debated on the impact of sale of physical books viz-a-viz licensing of e-books on owners of the copyright. The members also discussed whether licensing of e-books would have detrimental effects in the publishing industry and whether digital lending should function solely through a license-based model.

The session ended with members brainstorming the most suitable model of CDL that would ensure a balance between public interest in accessing works and a copyright owners’ right to drive revenue from their copyrighted works.

ALG Principal Sneha Tandon will be at the Global Science, Research, and Innovation Summit on May 2, 2023. This year’s Summit is aimed at encouraging national and industry investment in R&D, fostering Industry-Academia-Research collaboration; and encouraging Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Mahima Agrawal (Pre-Final Year) has successfully completed her Internship at ALG. At the end of her internship, she obliged us with her thoughts and ideas during the Sharing of Reflections (SoR) session. Her presence enriched the firm while she interned here. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

A ‘Legal Issues Seminar- General IP’ (LIS-GIP) was conducted by Sucharitha Banda,  Associate, on “When Is an Appeal from an Order Passed By A Commercial Court At District Level Maintainable?”. The seminar explored the relevant provisions for appeal under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (as amended by Commercial Courts Act, 2015), and the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The session delved into various case laws that have interpreted appeal of orders and judgements from Commercial Courts. The seminar looked into the intent of the legislation and the different rules of interpretation courts followed while adjudicating the disputes. The session concluded with a discussion on the subsisting ambiguity in the application of the provision for appeals and a need for legislative clarity.

The presentation can be accessed here.

This World Intellectual Property Day, WIPO’s campaign is centred around ensuring parity in the IP ecosystem by supporting women in creating and innovating more. Join us in celebrating the women who were changemakers and in promoting women who have the potential to be changemakers. It is important that we diversify the spaces we function in and create opportunities for the deserving ones. We are proud of and celebrate the women, who are breaking ceilings that need not even be there, paving the way with their creations and innovations and very importantly owning their seat at the table with their voices and actions. Let’s take a moment to remember all those women who changed the world.

At ALG, we’re proud to have some of the smartest women of the country growing our practice and also supporting each other and the community along the way.