The ALG team got together on Friday for our Annual Potluck Picnic which was set against the backdrop of the stunning 15th century architecture of Delhi’s Lodi Gardens, bright red and yellow tulips, and sunny skies. The team’s brought their culinary A-game with diverse home-made delicacies and snacks ranging from mutton rogan josh and biryani from the north to mini Idlis and mysore pak from the south. Resuming again a longstanding ALG tradition after a 2 year gap, we spent a memorable day with fun-filled games and smiling faces!

During last week’s PWS Session, Anurathna Mathivanan, Trainee Associate, led a discussion on “Whether Monetization of Data collected through Click-wrap Agreements is Prejudicial to User Privacy?”. The discussion began with a look into the extent of data that is collected and stored by businesses for monetary purposes. The members discussed whether average users of such services realize the nature and value of data collected. The discussion delved into the challenges faced by businesses in implementing alternative models of user agreements in media-sharing and networking platforms, and whether businesses can ethically monetise on the data collected through clickwrap agreements. The members debated on whether data exclusivity by businesses has a positive effect on the user’s experience in online spaces. The members also examined if an alternative model can be better suited to balance the interests of users and businesses.

A ‘Legal Issues Seminar- General IP’ (LIS-GIP) was conducted by Sucharitha Banda, Trainee Associate, on “Does Enforcement of Negative Covenants in a Licensing Agreement Amount to Restraint of Trade?”. The seminar delved into the relevant provisions under The Indian Contract Act, 1872, which mandates any negative covenant in an agreement, which restrains trade, to be deemed void. The seminar analysed the relevant case laws that have laid down the development in the application of the statutory provision. The session concluded with an interesting discussion on how different kinds of negative covenants can be enforceable owing to the relaxed application of the statutory provision by Courts.

The presentation can be accessed here.

ALG’s Sucharitha Banda conducted a session on ‘Existing & Forthcoming issues in the arena of IPR’ at the Management Development Program organized by IIMT College of Management, Noida. The session was held to familiarize the faculty of the Institute and up-and-coming entrepreneurs with the importance of timely protection of their intellectual property. During the session, Sucharitha briefed the attendees on various aspects of trademark protection, including types of trademarks, importance of conducting pre-filing clearance searches, brand protection tools and methods, as well as domain name disputes.

During last week’s PWS Session, Yash Raj, Associate, led a discussion on “Should Courts Use Big Data Analytics in Intellectual Property Disputes?” The session led with a discussion on the growing significance and utility of Big Data in the present times. In the session, the members identified and discussed the various methods of utilising Big Data by Courts and likely issues that would follow. The members also examined the need for additional resources and guidelines to use Big Data in facilitating IP dispute resolution.