Call for Papers | One Day National Conference on “Intellectual Property, Emerging Technology and Digital Regulation” March 27, 2026

The DPIIT-IPR Chair, Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, in collaboration with the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights and the Centre for Law, Technology and Policy, is organising a One Day National Conference on “Intellectual Property, Emerging Technology and Digital Regulation” on March 27, 2026 (Friday) in physical mode at MNLU Nagpur.

About Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, established in 2015 by the Government of Maharashtra, is a premier institution committed to excellence in legal education and research. The University is recognised by the University Grants Commission under Section 12 of the UGC Act, 1956 and by the Bar Council of India. It is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Consortium of National Law Universities.

About the DPIIT-IPR Chair

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has established the DPIIT IPR Chair at MNLU Nagpur under the Scheme for Pedagogy and Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia known as SPRIHA. Conceived in alignment with the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, 2016, the initiative seeks to translate national IP objectives into sustained academic engagement by strengthening research, curriculum design and institutional capacity in intellectual property law.

About Centre for Intellectual Property Rights

The Centre for Intellectual Property Rights at Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur serves as a specialised academic platform dedicated to advancing scholarship, research and capacity building in intellectual property law. By bridging academia, industry and policy institutions, the Centre aims to contribute to informed law reform, strengthen IP awareness and support the development of a robust and innovation driven legal ecosystem in India.

About Centre for Law, Technology & Policy

The Centre for Law and Technology and Policy at Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur is an advanced academic and research initiative dedicated to examining the interface between law, emerging technologies and public policy. By combining theoretical inquiry with practical engagement, CLTP seeks to equip students, researchers and practitioners with the analytical depth and applied skills required for responsible technology governance and meaningful legal reform.

About the Conference

Rapid advancements in generative artificial intelligence, immersive digital environments, decentralised technologies and synthetic media are reshaping intellectual property law, digital regulation and competition policy in India. The Conference aims to provide a comprehensive academic and policy-oriented platform to critically examine these transformations. It seeks to facilitate informed dialogue among academicians, practitioners, policymakers, industry stakeholders and researchers on doctrinal challenges, regulatory gaps, comparative developments and commercially viable legal solutions.

Suggested Sub-Themes

Sub-Theme I

1. Generative AI and the Transformation of India’s Intellectual Property Regime

2. Legality of copyrighted data in AI training

3. Fair dealing and transformative use

4. Authorship and originality in AI-generated works

5. Comparative international developments and emerging litigation

Sub-Theme II

1. Metaverse, Web3 and Virtual Asset Protection Ecosystem

2. NFT legal architecture and smart contract licensing

3. Trademark enforcement in virtual environments

4. Patent protection and challenges under Section 3(k) of the Patents Act

Sub-Theme III

1. Deepfakes, Synthetic Media and Content Authenticity Framework

2. Personality rights and intermediary liability

3. Compliance under the IT Rules, 2021 and allied laws

4. Privacy and ownership concerns relating to neural data

5. Authentication mechanisms for AI generated content

Sub-Theme IV

1. Competition Law, Strategic IP Protection and Digital Market Regulation

2. Big Tech dominance and data control

3. Standard Essential Patents and FRAND licensing

4. Semiconductor IP protection

5. Cross border enforcement challenges

6. The above themes are indicative and not exhaustive.

Submission Categories

Long Articles: 3500 to 6000 words

Short Articles: 2000 to 3000 words

Submission Guidelines

1. Submissions must be original and unpublished.

2. Each paper must include a title and an abstract of 250 to 300 words.

3. Co-authorship is permitted up to two authors.

4. Plagiarism must not exceed 10 per cent. AI-generated content is not permitted.

5. All submissions shall undergo a double-blind peer review process.

6. Citation style: Harvard Bluebook, 20th Edition.

Important Dates

Last Date for Submission of Abstract: February 25, 2026

Confirmation of Abstract Selection: February 28, 2026

Last Date of Registration: March 20, 2026

Last Date of Full Paper Submission: March 25, 2026

Only the best 30 abstracts will be selected for final paper submission.

Registration Fee

Rs. 2500 for Academicians, Research Scholars and Professionals

Rs. 2000 for Students (UG and PG)

Rs. 700 for MNLU Nagpur Students

Awards

Best Presentation (Academician or Research Scholar): Rs. 5000

Best Presentation (Student): Rs. 3000

Publication

Best selected papers will be published in the form of a book with ISBN.

All participants will receive certificate of participation.

Venue

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur

Near Village Waranga, PO Dongargaon (Butibori)

Nagpur — 441108, Maharashtra

Mode: Physical

Contact Details

Email: iptechconference26@nlunagpur.ac.in

Student Coordinators

Centre for Intellectual Property Rights-

1. Ansh Raheja — anshraheja@nlunagpur.ac.in +91 8222837188

2. Ekta Dwivedi — ektadwivedi@nlunagpur.ac.in +91 6387711320

Centre for Law, Technology & Policy-

1. Deepandru Singh — deepandrusingh@nlunagpur.ac.in +91 72752 87711

2. Shreya Singh — shreyasingh@nlunagpur.ac.in +91 9867431357

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