Insights
Practical perspectives on protecting, managing and enforcing intellectual property across India and the subcontinent.
14 March 2017
Rental Rights Under Indian Copyright Law
Only the copyright owner can commercially rent out software, films and sound recordings — but non-profit libraries and educational institutions are exempt. How 'commercial rental' works under the Copyright Act.
7 March 2017
The Trade Marks Rules, 2017 and the Fee Hike
The 2017 Rules simplified filing (75 forms down to 8) — but doubled the fee for most applicants. The upside: individuals, startups and small enterprises got a big discount (₹4,500/class), a 10% online discount, and a new end-to-end expedited processing option.
7 March 2017
The Trade Marks Rules, 2017: What Changed
The 2017 Rules overhauled Indian trademark practice — a 125% fee hike, forms cut from ~75 to 8, mandatory user affidavits, expedited processing, sound marks, video hearings, and a direct route to well-known status. A simplified rundown of the highlights.
Raja Pannir Selvam · 7 March 2017
The Trade Marks Rules, 2017: What They Mean for Startups and SMEs
The 2017 Rules cut official trademark fees by half for startups and SMEs, allowed reclassification without losing priority, and streamlined filing. What changed, who qualifies, and the limits.
Navarre Roy · 7 March 2017
The Trade Marks E-Filing System (Version 3.0): What's New
The 2017 Rules brought a revamped 'Online Filing Version 3.0'. A hands-on tour of the changes for new applications — 8 alphabetic forms, mandatory email and power of attorney at filing, MP3 sound-mark upload, a trademark-description field, and the glitches to watch.
7 March 2017
The Trade Marks Rules, 2017: Six Changes That Mattered
The 2017 Rules cut 74 forms to eight, made sound marks genuinely filable as MP3s, opened expedited processing at every stage rather than examination alone, and made user affidavits compulsory where a date of first use is claimed.
28 February 2017
Copyright in the Digital World: Who Owns Your Multimedia?
Every video, meme, website and app you touch is a layered bundle of copyrights. How Indian law protects multimedia as a compilation of literary, artistic, cinematographic, sound and musical works — each owned separately — the licensing headache that creates, and where DRM fits.
Prachi Jain · 20 February 2017
Celebrity Rights: The Public, the Private and the IP
A celebrity's face on socks, a movie dialogue on packaging, a 'meet the star' promo — done without consent, these violate celebrity rights: a blend of personality, publicity and privacy rights. How Indian courts (RajaGopal, Sourav Ganguly) recognise fame as intellectual property.
Archana Priyadharshini · 17 February 2017
Choosing a Business Structure in India: Which Entity Should You Form?
Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private limited or one-person company — each carries a different answer to the question that matters most: are you personally liable for the business's debts? A practical comparison, with what incorporation actually involves today.
14 February 2017
Copyright Protection for Photographers in India
A photograph is an artistic work protected by copyright the moment it is taken — regardless of quality. Who owns it, how long protection lasts, and why owning the camera is irrelevant.
Prachi Jain · 10 February 2017
Bollywood, Copyright and the 'Inspiration' Defence
For years, copied films hid behind the word 'inspiration' — until 20th Century Fox sued over 'Knockout' (a remake of 'Phone Booth') and won. How Indian copyright's idea–expression divide and the R.G. Anand test decide when inspiration becomes infringement.
6 February 2017
"TATA" as a Well-Known Trademark: The Delhi High Court's Ruling
The Delhi High Court recognised TATA as a well-known trademark and stopped 'Tata Packers and Movers' from trading on the name. How continuous use since 1868 and cross-class registration carried the day.