Call for Papers: Two-Day National Conference on Emerging Frontiers of Intellectual Property Law in the Era of Technology, AI & Globalization, MNLU Nagpur (3-4 November 2026)

The DPIIT-IPR Chair of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur is organising a two-day national conference on Emerging Frontiers of Intellectual Property Law in the Era of Technology, AI & Globalization on 3-4 November 2026.

The conference seeks to examine the evolving dimensions of intellectual property law in a rapidly transforming technological and global landscape. It will bring together academicians, legal practitioners, researchers, policymakers and students to deliberate on contemporary challenges and emerging opportunities across patents, geographical indications, trademarks, domain names, copyright, designs, biodiversity and traditional knowledge.

Mode: Online, as stated in the official brochure.

MNLU Nagpur was established by the Government of Maharashtra in 2015 and began academic activities on 1 August 2016. It is recognised by the UGC under Section 12 of the UGC Act, 1956 and by the Bar Council of India. The DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, selected MNLU Nagpur for a DPIIT-IPR Chair under the Scheme for Pedagogy & Research in IPRs for Holistic Education & Academia (SPRIHA), to strengthen teaching and research capacity in intellectual property law.

• Patents: green technology patents and climate innovation, emerging technologies and patentability limits, AI and software patents, sustainable patenting, patent evergreening and pharmaceutical innovation, patent protection for biotechnology and genetic technologies
• Geographical Indications: effectiveness of GI protection, GIs and e-commerce, counterfeiting of GI products and enforcement, digital authentication of GI products, GIs, rural development and producer rights, globalisation and GI protection of Indian products
• Trademarks: trademark protection in the metaverse, domain names and cybersquatting, digital brand identity, trademark rights in the age of social media, NFTs and virtual goods, AI and branding
• Copyrights and Designs: interface of copyright and design law, technology, creativity and design protection, AI-generated works and authorship, digital replicas and design infringement, copyright exhaustion in the digital marketplace, synthetic media and the idea-expression divide
• Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge: traditional knowledge and patent protection, TK databases and defensive protection, digital sequence information, biodiversity and biopiracy, access and benefit sharing, protection of plant varieties and farmers' rights

• Research papers of 4,000-6,000 words; original and unpublished work of the author(s), with a clear and concise title.
• Abstract of 250-300 words first; the full paper is sent after abstract acceptance.
• The abstract file must not contain the name, affiliation or any identifying detail of the author(s); all submissions undergo double-blind peer review.
• Co-authorship permitted up to two co-authors.
• Maximum similarity/plagiarism limit of 10% (Level 0).
• Undisclosed and unacknowledged AI-generated content is prohibited; limited, supportive AI use must be declared.
• Formatting: title in Garamond 14, bold, uppercase, centred; headings Garamond 12, bold; main text Garamond 12, 1.5 line spacing, justified, 1-inch margins; footnotes Garamond 10, single spacing, Harvard Bluebook (20th Edition); case laws in italics.

• Academicians / Research Scholars / Professionals: Rs 2,000
• Co-authors (Academicians / Research Scholars / Professionals): Rs 1,600
• Students UG/PG: Rs 1,200
• Co-authors (Students UG/PG): Rs 1,000
• Conference Attendees: Rs 800
• MNLU Nagpur Students: Rs 500

Registration fees are non-refundable once paid after selection of the abstract. The payment link and payment method annexure are given in the official brochure.

Register and submit your abstract through the official Google Form linked in the brochure (sign-in with a Google account may be required) by 21 October 2026. Full papers are due by 28 October 2026 and registration closes on 30 October 2026. For queries, email iprchair@nlunagpur.ac.in.

Best Paper Presentation (Academician / Research Scholar): Rs 5,000. Best Paper Presentation (Student): Rs 3,000.