Govt to Sponsor Students for International Moot Court on Intellectual Property Rights

Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that students selected for the upcoming 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). Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Vidhi Pragati: National IP Moot Court Competition, 2025, in New Delhi, he emphasized the government's commitment to nurturing legal talent in the field of intellectual property.

Organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Competition (CIIPC) and IPR Chair, National Law University Delhi, the competition aims to enhance advocacy skills and deepen understanding of intellectual property laws. Participants will engage with contemporary legal issues and develop insights into IP enforcement and case law.

Goyal underscored the need for a robust regulatory framework to address unethical AI usage while ensuring its effective deployment in modern technology. He noted that AI is only as ethical as its user, stating that while technology can enhance efficiency, it can never replace human intellect. He stressed that AI and copyright law are at a crucial crossroads, where the ethical use of AI could support copyright protection, but unethical practices could threaten innovation and authorship rights.

Highlighting the Union Budget 2025’s innovation focus, the Minister pointed to key initiatives, including the 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), a Rs 20,000 crore allocation for the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Fund, and a Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds for startups. He also introduced One Nation One Subscription, ensuring nationwide access to scholarly research journals, and a Rs 500 crore AI for Education fund to promote collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector.

Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court, and Himani Pande, Additional Secretary, DPIIT, attended as guests of honor. Goyal recommended making IPR a mandatory subject in law colleges to strengthen the understanding of rights, wrongs, and AI’s role in legal frameworks. He highlighted that moot court competitions help students sharpen legal skills, transition into innovative thinkers, and become future leaders in law and policymaking.

The Vidhi Pragati Moot Court Competition 2025 is centered on the theme "Artificial Intelligence and Copyright"—a critical issue as AI-generated content reshapes creative industries. Participants will debate complex legal questions surrounding AI-authored works, originality, and copyright protections. The event fosters innovative legal discourseand prepares future legal professionals to address emerging IPR challenges in the digital age.

Scheduled from February 7–9, 2025, the event will see participation from 26 law schools across India. With a prize pool of Rs 3.25 lakh, the competition promises to be a high-stakes intellectual showdown, cultivating a spirit of mooting excellence and scholarly engagement.