The MCA passed the LLP Settlement Scheme 2020 taking note of the rise in defaults by LLPs in filing their relevant document(s) on March 4, 2020 and therefore providing a one-time relaxation towards payment of additional fees in relation to such default(s). The LLP Settlement Scheme 2020 sought to condone delay in complying with statutorily filing and came into force on March 16, 2020 until June 13, 2020. However, by way of General Circular No. 31/2020 dated September 28, 2020 the MCA has extended the operation of the said scheme until December 31, 2020 owing to COVID-19 pandemic related disruptions.

Source: https://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/GeneralCircular06_04032020.pdf; http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/GeneralCircularNo.31_28092020.pdf

The Supreme Court has admitted an appeal wherein it will examine whether educational institutions and universities would be subject to Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The appeal was filed by the students of Vinayaka Mission University, Salem against the decision of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), wherein it was held that educational institutions didn’t impart services, and accordingly were not covered under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/sc-to-examine-whether-educational-institutions-come-under-consumer-protection-act-159117

The Digital News Publishers Association has voluntarily drawn up and issued a Code of Ethics for its members on October 17, 2020. The Code places special focus on the intellectual property rights and states that if content is found to be infringing intellectual property, such content should be edited, deleted or take down if necessary.

Source: https://images.bhaskarassets.com/web2images/521/2020/10/code-of-ethics-for-digital-news-websites_1603016989.pdf

The IPAB has, vide Public Notice dated October 23, 2020, requested parties who have reached settlement, or wish to withdraw the appeal/application, to file miscellaneous petition.

Source: https://www.ipab.gov.in/public_notice/Notification-No-01-2020.pdf

Sony’s efforts to secure a trademark registration for ‘PS5’, the abbreviation of its upcoming gaming console PlayStation 5, had been held up owing to a pre-existing trademark application. Both Sony and the third party (Hitesh Aswani) had opposed each other’s trademark applications. However, Hitesh Aswani has now withdrawn his trademark application as well as his opposition against Sony’s ‘PS5’ application. With this, it seems that the dispute has been resolved, clearing the path for Sony to launch the much-anticipated PlayStation 5 in India.

Source: https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister/eregister.aspx, https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/sonys-ps5-trademark-dispute-in-india-resolved/article32963847.ece