The keynote address was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Rajnish Kumar Singh, Professor, Faculty of Law, Banaras Hindu University. He elaborated on the significance of copyright law in academic and research domains, emphasizing that “the purpose of copyright is to protect the intellectual property of a creator, not to restrict academic freedom.” Prof. Singh discussed in detail issues related to the misuse of copyright, plagiarism, and the importance of intellectual honesty in academic writing and research.
He further observed that in today’s rapidly evolving digital age, striking an appropriate balance between open access to educational resources and the protection of copyright has emerged as a significant challenge for scholars, institutions, and policymakers alike. While technology has democratised knowledge by making vast repositories of information accessible at the click of a button, it has also intensified concerns around plagiarism, misuse, and unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted works. Drawing attention to the relevant provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957, along with recent judicial interpretations that reaffirm the importance of fair use and the rights of authors, he emphasised that the law seeks to maintain equilibrium—promoting learning while safeguarding intellectual property. In this context, he underlined that “originality and ethical integrity are the true identities of any scholar,” reminding students and researchers that genuine academic contribution lies not merely in accessing information, but in engaging with it responsibly. He stressed that adherence to ethical standards, proper citation practices, and respect for the labour of creators not only uphold legal obligations but also enhance the credibility and authenticity of one’s work. Ultimately, he reiterated that true scholarship flourishes when creativity, honesty, and respect for intellectual ownership go hand in hand.
The session was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh Kumar Verma, Dean and Head, Faculty of Law, who remarked that copyright is not merely a legal concern but also a matter of ethical responsibility. He encouraged young researchers to uphold academic integrity while contributing meaningfully to the pursuit of knowledge.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Lalit Kishore Srivastava, Assistant Professor and Convener of the Departmental Lecture Series. This lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars, and students.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion, wherein students raised insightful questions related to the practical aspects of copyright in academic writing, collaborative authorship, and open-source research materials, which were addressed comprehensively by the speaker.
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