“Intellectual Property Rights in Academia: Legal Foundations, Emerging Trends, and Innovation-Driven Applications”

Adv. Chetna is a dedicated and results-oriented legal professional specializing in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Corporate Law, with a proven track record of handling complex commercial matters and offering strategic legal counsel. With a strong academic background including an LL.B. from Fergusson College, Pune, and diplomas in Cyber Law and International Business Laws from premier institutions, she brings both depth and versatility to her practice. As the founder of The Legal Lab, she has successfully filed and managed over 500 trademark applications across industries and has actively worked on copyright protection for books, movie scripts, and artistic works, including assisting public figures in safeguarding their creative rights.

Adv. Chetna is also deeply involved in legal education and community outreach, having delivered guest lectures on drug abuse awareness and contributed as a POSH Committee member, advising organizations on workplace compliance and governance. Her excellence has been recognized with multiple accolades, including National and State-level Best Speaker and Advocate Awards. Beyond the courtroom, she has held leadership roles such as Ex Vice President of BNI, Board Member of the Jain Youth Wing, and Entrepreneurship Chair at YI Nashik, actively supporting startups and young entrepreneurs in navigating legal frameworks.

Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti is an Associate Professor (Law) at National Law University, Jodhpur. She was a post-doctoral research fellow at Max Planck Institute of Innovation and Competition, Munich, Germany in 2020. She has awarded Ph.D. from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad and M.Phil. from National Law School of India University, Bangalore. She has done LLM in International and Comparative IP Law from London Metropolitan University, London, UK. She has more than 14 years of teaching and research experience. She is a Tutor for WIPO Academy and completed four Distance Learning Courses successfully. She has more than 40 international and national publications in her credit. Her achievements include (1) IP Expert for PIC and Member of Rajasthan State IP Council, DST, Government of Rajasthan, (2) Technical Expert for QCI-NBA-UNDP Access and Benefit Sharing Scheme (ABS) Project for developing certification criteria for the ABS Scheme in 2021, (3) Project on ABS Mechanism in Rajasthan with UNDP-GOI-NLSIU in 2018 (4) 13th Colloquium for Teachers of IP organized by the WIPO & WTO in Geneva in 2016, (5) Visiting Scholar to School of Law, University of Washington in 2015, and (6) University of Washington-Google Project on Intermediary Liabilities on Hate Speech and Online Child Safety.

Ms. Tulip Suman, holding a Master of Laws degree with a specialization in Intellectual Property Rights from the National Law University, Jodhpur, is currently pursuing her doctoral research at the National Law University, Odisha. She initially received training in legal analysis, litigation, and legal procedures at University Law College, Utkal University, Odisha. Presently, she serves as an Assistant Professor at KIIT School of Law, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar. Previously, she served as a Teaching and Research Associate at National Law University, Odisha, faculty associate at KIIT School of Law and as a visiting faculty member at the School of Law, Apeejay Stya University, Noida; School of Law, KIIT University; and University Law College, Utkal University. She has taught a diverse array of courses encompassing law and liberal arts, including Copyright and Design Laws, White Collar Crimes, Transfer of Property Laws, Legal History, Intellectual Property Laws, Family Laws, Banking Laws, Company and Business Law, Labour Law, and several specialized seminar papers such as Trademarks and Related Rights, and Copyright Laws and the Entertainment Industry. Her training spans various teaching and pedagogical methods, legal drafting, case analysis, and empirical and doctrinal research. She has numerous publications in reputed journals, including several indexed in SCOPUS. Beyond teaching and research, Ms. Tulip has contributed as a planning associate in establishing the Community College for Paralegals: Barefoot Lawyers at National Law University, Odisha, under the supervision of the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shri Krishna Deva Rao. She tirelessly promotes the importance of Intellectual Property Rights among entrepreneurs and raises legal literacy awareness among women and vulnerable groups through talks and campaigns at various MSME groups, educational institutions, and leading Odisha-based media channels. A recognized figure on primetime television, she is regularly invited by Odisha-based TV channels to discuss issues related to International Law and Relations, International Foreign Affairs, Women Empowerment, and Legal Literacy Awareness. She is one of the founding members of WECANB Global, an organization dedicated to empowering women and addressing gender inequality through TV media panel discussions. Additionally, Ms. Tulip is an artist with a keen interest in Indian Folk Art. She has sold numerous paintings themed around Krishna Leela, Ram Sabha, Motherhood, and Indian Culture through her art page ‘tulipzcreations’ on various social media platforms.

Prof. (Dr.) Pradeep Sharma is a seasoned legal academician with over 18 years of extensive experience in teaching, research, curriculum development, and institutional leadership in the field of law. Currently serving in the Department of Law, KAAF University College, Accra Campus, Ghana, Prof. Sharma has also held distinguished academic positions in several renowned universities across India, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Malawi, and Ghana. His scholarly depth spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral supervision, having guided 33 LL.M. dissertations and 6 Ph.D. theses, alongside evaluating over 60 postgraduate research works across multiple institutions.

Prof. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Law (2012), preceded by an M.Phil (2009) and LL.M (2005), following his foundational legal education with a B.A. LL.B. from Aligarh Muslim University (2002). An educator with an interdisciplinary approach, he has been instrumental in drafting LL.M and Ph.D. curricula, establishing new postgraduate programs, and mentoring numerous research scholars.

His academic engagements extend internationally as a visiting professor and editorial board member in various institutions such as Subharti University (India), Blantyre International University (Malawi), University of Juba (South Sudan), and Vinoba Bhave University (India). He actively contributes to journals such as the Journal of Indigenous Knowledge and Development Studies and Journal of Law, Governance and Information Technology, and serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Intellectual Property Rights (NIScPR).

A prolific author, Prof. Sharma has published over 17 peer-reviewed research papers and authored a book titled "Jurisdictional Issues in Cyber Crime". His research covers diverse legal domains, including cyber law, corporate criminal liability, human rights of migrant workers, domestic violence, Islamic law, and constitutional protections for women and indigenous communities. His academic contributions have significantly shaped discourses in international commercial arbitration, victimology, and legislative reforms.

Beyond academics, Prof. Sharma is known for his active role in moot court training, community outreach, and legal literacy initiatives. He has delivered expert lectures on cybercrime, digital security, and RTI, and has played key roles in international conferences and symposia, including organizing a global conference with participants from 14 countries at Hawassa University, Ethiopia.

A recipient of multiple accolades in sports and education during his early academic years, Prof. Sharma is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Afan Oromo, and Amharic, reflecting his global adaptability and cultural fluency. He has also donated a substantial e-library of legal texts to support legal education in African universities.

Prof. Sharma’s dedication to legal scholarship, academic leadership, and global collaboration continues to make a meaningful impact in shaping legal education and justice systems across borders

Yash Tiwari, based in Bhopal, MP, IN, is currently a Associate Professor of Law at Jagran Lakecity University. Yash Tiwari brings experience from previous roles at Jagran Lakecity University School of Law, Career College of Law , Bhopal and Barkatullah University, Bhopal. Yash Tiwari holds a 2010 - 2012 Post Graduation in IPR and Business Law @ National Law Institute University, Bhopal.

Dr. Abhishek Kumar Tiwari
Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow

Dr. Abhishek Kumar Tiwari is an accomplished legal academician with over 16 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. He is currently serving as Professor of Law at the prestigious Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, and has previously held esteemed positions such as Vice Principal and Deputy Director at the University Law College, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. His teaching journey also includes engagements at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow, and Unison School of Law, Dehradun.

Dr. Tiwari holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Lucknow, with his doctoral research focusing on the critical legal and environmental aspects of genetically modified crops, analyzed in the light of both international environmental guidelines and national law. He earned his LL.M. in Intellectual Property Rights from Dr. RML National Law University, Lucknow, with distinction and a silver medal, and completed his LL.B. from Banaras Hindu University with First Division.

An active researcher and author, Dr. Tiwari has published one book, Law Relating to Genetically Modified Crops and Environment, and over 18 research papers in reputed journals and edited volumes. His scholarly contributions span a wide range of legal issues including environmental law, biotechnology law, intellectual property, human rights, and gender justice. He has also contributed book reviews and chapters in leading academic publications.

Dr. Tiwari has presented papers in numerous national and international seminars and conferences, including events organized by Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Dr. RMLNLU, BBAU Lucknow, and others. His notable presentations cover topics such as biodiversity protection, the TRIPS Agreement and human rights, regulation of social media, and women’s dignity under Indian law.

He also underwent specialized training through the National Human Rights Training Programme conducted by NHRC at Dr. RMLNLU and worked on a project evaluating the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 in Lucknow.

Dr. Tiwari’s academic interests are deeply rooted in the intersection of law, technology, and social justice. His vast experience, critical insights, and continued dedication to research and legal education make him a valuable contributor to contemporary legal scholarship and policy development in India.