New Delhi: Union minister Piyush Goyal during his address at the inaugural ceremony of Vidhi Pragati: National IP Moot Court Competition, 2025, held today in New Delhi announces that students selected for an international moot court competition on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) will be sponsored by The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM)
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Competition (CIIPC) and the IPR Chair, National Law University Delhi, is organising the Vidhi Pragati: National IP Moot Court Competition, 2025. The competition aims to help participants enhance their advocacy skills, engage with contemporary legal issues, and gain in-depth knowledge of Intellectual Property Laws, their enforcement, and the latest case laws.
Highlighting the need for a robust regulatory framework, Goyal emphasised the importance of legal and policy measures to combat the unethical use of AI while supporting the effective deployment of modern technology. He stated that Artificial Intelligence is only as effective as the person using it, adding that technology can serve as a tool but can never replace human intellect.
Discussing the significance of the Moot Court Competition, the Minister underscored its practical benefits in honing students’ legal acumen and broadening their perspectives. He remarked that participation in such competitions enables scholars to evolve into thinkers, innovators, and ultimately, leaders.
Goyal also addressed the intersection of copyright and Artificial Intelligence, describing it as a pivotal issue in an uncertain future. He explained that AI could either be ethically leveraged to regulate copyright effectively or misused to violate copyright protection. AI has the potential to enhance creativity but could also undermine the authorship rights of genuine innovators. He further noted that the Government is planning to engage with experts and young minds to explore necessary regulatory changes to keep pace with modern technology.
Referring to the innovation push in the Union Budget 2025, Goyal highlighted key announcements, including the establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and a Centre contribution of ₹20,000 crore to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Fund. He also mentioned the ₹10,000 crore allocation for the Fund of Funds, aimed at supporting startups and entrepreneurs to foster innovation. Additionally, he outlined the Government’s academic initiative, One Nation One Subscription, designed to provide country-wide access to scholarly research e-journals for students. Another key measure he mentioned was the AI for Education fund of ₹500 crore, which will facilitate collaboration between academia, the government, and the private sector to promote innovation.
During his address, the Minister suggested making IPR a mandatory subject in law colleges across the country. He stressed the need to understand law through concepts of right and wrong, highlighting the role AI could play in this aspect.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Judge at the High Court of Delhi, and Himani Pande, Additional Secretary at DPIIT, attended the event as guests of honour.
The theme of the competition, “Artificial Intelligence and Copyright,” is highly relevant in today’s digital landscape, where AI technologies are transforming the creative industries. With AI-generated content becoming more prevalent, significant questions arise about authorship, originality, and the scope of copyright protection. This competition aims to nurture young legal minds, encourage innovative thinking in intellectual property law, and highlight the need to adapt copyright regulations in response to AI advancements.
Scheduled to take place from 7 to 9 February 2025, this premier event will see participation from law schools across the country, fostering a strong spirit of mooting and scholarly discussion. A total of 26 teams are set to compete, demonstrating their skills in a highly competitive setting. With a prize pool of ₹3.25 lakh, the moot court competition offers substantial rewards for the time and effort invested by participants.