A ‘Legal Issues Seminar- General IP (LIS-GIP)’ was conducted by Gazal Sancheti, Trainee Associate, on “Can a Single Copyright Infringement Suit be Filed by Multiple Plaintiffs Against the Same Defendant(s)?”. The seminar explored the legal provisions that can be interpreted to determine whether a single copyright infringement suit can be filed by multiple plaintiffs in respect of unrelated copyrighted works against the same set of defendant(s). While discussing relevant judicial pronouncements, the session specifically delved into divergent views taken by courts on the issue. The session concluded with an interesting discussion on scenarios in which filing a single infringement suit is a better option as opposed to separate suits.

The presentation can be accessed here.

During last week’s Practice Work Shop (PWS) Session, Harshit Parasher, Trainee Associate, led a discussion on “Is Granting Universal Access To Pharmaceutical Patent Information A Viable Option For Promoting Access To Medicines?”. The session saw an insightful discussion on the impact of grant of universal access to patent information and whether it could be used to achieve an equitable healthcare system. The session delved into whether there is a need of disclosing sensitive information for promoting research and development. The session concluded with some intriguing ideas on how such disclosure could be implemented while balancing the interests of the pharmaceutical companies and the public at large.

A ‘Legal Issues Seminar-Patent’ (LIS-PAT) was conducted by Harshita Agarwal, Trainee Associate, on “Will the Importation of Patent Product Components Without A License Constitute Infringement?”. The seminar explored the legal provisions that can be interpreted to determine whether the importation of patent product components without a license constitutes infringement. While discussing relevant judicial pronouncements, the session specifically delved into the various factors when importation of non-counterfeit goods without a license does not amount to infringement. The session concluded with an interesting discussion on the language and interpretation of the relevant provision before and after its amendment as well as whether the importation of a product can be deemed to be the basis of a patent application in the same country.

The presentation can be accessed here.

During last week’s Practice Workshop (PWS) Session, Shreya Kunwar, Associate, led a discussion on whether Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) can serve as IP Collaterals? The session saw an engaging discussion on what are IP collaterals and benefits of using the same in transactions. The discussion delved into how NFTs are increasingly being considered as digital assets and whether the underlying IP in an NFT enables it to be used as a collateral. The session concluded with a debate on the viability of the adoption of NFTs as IP collaterals in the Indian market.

Recently, ALG’s cinephiles came together virtually, to discuss Rob Burnett’s feel-good road trip movie ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’. The members discussed the quirky but lovable characters and their development as well as the cinematic clichés sprinkled throughout the movie. The members also shared their varied thoughts on the personality traits of the characters and how the different characters in the film helped Paul Rudd’s character to find closure. The movie inspired the members to reflect upon the importance of friendship and the key role their friends play in their everyday lives.