The Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Institute of Law, Nirma University hosted the IP Law Expert Lecture 2025 on 3rd May 2025. Dr. Victor Vaibhav Tandon, Partner at Saikrishna & Associates, Mr. Gaurav Chhibber, Partner at Chadha & Chadha and Mr. Ritwik Sharma Associate at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan were invited as experts to provide insights into different crucial aspects of intellectual property law. The session offered our students a deep dive into the evolving legal landscape surrounding patents and trademarks, with real-world insights and practical guidance.
Dr. Victor Vaibhav Tandon, Partner at Saikrishna & Associates, provided equally engaging insights into the mechanics of patent enforcement as he conducted a gripping session on “Patent Infringement Issues: Practical Insights and Challenge”. He discussed the various forms of patent infringement and introduced the concept of claim mapping charts to assess and establish infringement. A particularly interesting segment focused on the use of “Hot Tubbing” — a method of presenting expert evidence — and the sequential stages involved in preparing an expert report. Mr. Tandon also highlighted the distinctive elements of patent infringement cases and explained the application of the Doctrine of Equivalence in determining infringement beyond literal claims.
Mr. Gaurav Chhibber, Partner at Chadha & Chadha, presented on a gripping session on “From Invention to Identity: Integrating Patent and Trademark Strategies for Market Launch” and delivered a thought-provoking address on the legal requirements for trademark registration in India and elaborated on the strategic considerations that businesses must account for when launching a trademark or patent in the market. He explored the fundamentals of patentability and mapped the complete journey from invention to commercialization. His talk covered the nuances of the patent prosecution process in India and emphasized how patent and trademark filings can be effectively synchronized. Mr. Chhibber also shed light on crafting a strong international IP strategy and illustrated key takeaways through a fascinating case study on Xiaomi’s trademark challenges in Brazil.
Mr. Ritwik Sharma, Associate at Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan, spoke on “Trademark Litigation in India – Practical Insights & Considerations.”. His presentation covered the beginning-to-end process of dealing with trademark infringement, from early detection by way of trademark watches and client notices to the strategic filing of lawsuits. He underscored the need for extensive documentation, pre-use evaluation, and consumer awareness, and investigation methods such as test purchases to substantiate claims. Mr. Sharma also touched on procedural matters, such as pre-litigation mediation under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act and jurisdictional provisions under Section 134 of the Trade Marks Act. He concluded by describing major relief mechanisms such as interim injunctions and caveat petitions, providing students with a realistic and structured perspective on trademark litigation practice in India. Ms. Smiriti Yadav, Partner Khaitan and Co. discussed the intersection of intellectual property and design law. From the nuances of non-conventional trademarks and functionality in automobile parts to the overlap between copyright and design under Section 15, the discussion was rich with real-world examples—like lipstick dupes and product packaging. Thought-provoking questions and case law like Bharat Glass Tube v Gopal Glass and the Crygo Gas case made it a deeply insightful exchange. The expert session was a valuable opportunity for our students to bridge classroom learning with industry practices. It deepened their understanding of IP law and demonstrated its crucial role in fostering innovation and protecting commercial interests in today’s global market.