Call for Papers: Online National Conference on Intellectual Property Law by MNLU Nagpur: Submit by October 21!

MNLU Nagpur invites abstracts for its online conference on intellectual property, technology, AI and globalization on November 3–4, 2026.

About MNLU Nagpur

Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur (MNLU Nagpur) was established by the Government of Maharashtra in 2015 and began academic activities on August 1, 2016. Its programmes include integrated undergraduate law degrees, an LL.M. and doctoral research.

About the DPIIT-IPR Chair

The DPIIT-IPR Chair was established under the Scheme for Pedagogy and Research in IPRs for Holistic Education and Academia (SPRIHA). Its work strengthens intellectual property teaching and research, promotes scholarship and supports curriculum development.

About the Conference

The DPIIT-IPR Chair at MNLU Nagpur is organising the Two-Day Online National Conference on “Emerging Frontiers of Intellectual Property Law in the Era of Technology, AI & Globalization”. It will bring together academicians, legal practitioners, researchers, policymakers and students to examine how technological change affects intellectual property protection and enforcement.

The programme will address patents, geographical indications, trademarks, domain names, copyright, designs, biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Panelists and industry experts from law firms and academic institutions will contribute to interdisciplinary discussion.

Mode and Event Dates

The conference will take place online on November 3–4, 2026.

Theme and Sub-Themes

The conference theme is “Emerging Frontiers of Intellectual Property Law in the Era of Technology, AI & Globalization”. Indicative, non-exhaustive sub-themes include:

• Patents: AI and software patents, patentability limits, green technology, climate innovation, pharmaceutical evergreening and biotechnology.
• Geographical indications: e-commerce, counterfeiting, digital authentication, producer rights, rural development and protection of Indian products internationally.
• Trademarks: the metaverse, domain names, cybersquatting, digital branding, social media, NFTs, virtual goods and AI.
• Copyright and designs: AI-generated works and authorship, digital replicas, copyright exhaustion, synthetic media and the interaction of copyright and design law.
• Biodiversity and traditional knowledge: defensive protection, traditional knowledge databases, digital sequence information, biopiracy, access and benefit sharing, plant varieties and farmers’ rights.

Eligibility Criteria

Legal practitioners, academicians, researchers, policymakers and law students may participate. The guidelines permit co-authorship up to two co-authors.

Abstract and Research Paper Guidelines

• Submit an original, unpublished abstract of 250–300 words with a clear and concise title.
• The abstract file must not contain author names, institutional affiliations or other identifying details. Papers will undergo double-blind peer review.
• Full research papers must contain 4,000–6,000 words and be submitted after abstract acceptance.
• The maximum similarity/plagiarism limit is 10% (Level 0).
• Undisclosed or unacknowledged AI-generated content is prohibited. Limited, supportive and non-substantive AI use must be declared.

Formatting Guidelines

Use Garamond throughout: a 14-point bold, uppercase, centred paper title; 12-point bold, justified headings with each word capitalised; and 12-point justified main text with 1.5 line spacing and one-inch margins. Footnotes must use 10-point type, single spacing and the Harvard Bluebook, 20th Edition. Italicise case names and capitalise each word.

Registration Fees

• Academicians, research scholars and professionals: ₹2,000.
• Co-authors in the academician, research scholar and professional category: ₹1,600.
• Undergraduate and postgraduate students: ₹1,200.
• Student co-authors: ₹1,000.
• Conference attendees: ₹800.
• MNLU Nagpur students: ₹500.

Fees paid after abstract selection are non-refundable. Follow the payment instructions and annexure linked in the brochure.

Awards

The Best Paper Presentation award for an academician or research scholar carries ₹5,000. The student Best Paper Presentation award carries ₹3,000.

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: October 21, 2026.
• Full-paper submission deadline: October 28, 2026.
• Final registration deadline: October 30, 2026.
• Conference: November 3–4, 2026.

Contact

For queries, email iprchair@nlunagpur.ac.in. The organising team can also be reached through Aksha Sulakhe (+91 94030 57802), Purwesh Sahare (+91 94219 05612), Muskan Bothra (+91 78528 22990) or Seema Saini (+91 94043 06352).

Application Procedure

Use the official form to register as an attendee or presenter and submit an abstract. Review the brochure before preparing the anonymised abstract. Submit the abstract by October 21, 2026; accepted authors must submit their full paper by October 28 and complete registration by October 30.