On August 21, 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill received Presidential assent and becomes law. The Act is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms and applies to games of chance, games of skill, and those that combine both. It empowers the central regulatory authority, mandates strict penalties for violations, and aims to curb addiction, financial harm, and misuse of gaming platforms.
Click here to read the Act.
The Indian Singers’ and Musicians’ Rights Association (ISAMRA) has facilitated a landmark agreement between India and Nepal to establish cross-border recognition and ensure fair copyright enforcement and royalty distribution for singers and musicians across the two countries. Finalized after discussions at the Asian CMO Forum in Tokyo in attendance of leaders from SCAPR and WIPO, the pact is expected to set a precedent across South Asia. ISAMRA’s Managing Director Sanjay Tandon emphasized the regional importance of the initiative, calling it “a promise of dignity and justice for every artist.”
The link is available here.
The UK-India Free Trade Agreement incorporates an IP chapter which, among other IP domains, includes framework for enhanced cooperation on trademark and copyright protection. Both nations commit to transparent and efficient trademark registration systems, including provisions on well-known marks and protection against bad-faith registrations. On copyright, the agreement pushes for alignment with international treaties and promoting protection of rights in the digital environment. The chapter encourages ongoing collaboration on IP policy and capacity-building.
The agreement summary can be accessed here.
A new feature titled “Opposition and Rectification Cause List” has been introduced under the Dynamic Utilities section by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM). This feature aims to streamline the process of attending hearings held virtually in Opposition and Rectification proceedings. By providing direct access to hearing details and links, it eliminates the hassle of accessing and securing hearing links.
Source is available here.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a draft notification for the Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2025, aiming to simplify and digitize the payment of license fees for copyrighted content. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has called for feedback from stakeholders and the public by July 5, 2025. The proposed changes are expected to improve transparency and streamline the copyright licensing process.
The notification is accessible here.
