Welcome back to another week of Bells & Whistles. As always, we’ve rounded up a mix of developments, opportunities, and thoughtful reads from across the IP world along with a Bell of the Week that’s well worth revisiting.
Bell of the Week: India and the Patent Cooperation Treaty
Some bells do not just chime, they redraw the map.
This week’s bell is for India’s accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty in 1998, a moment that subtly but significantly reshaped how Indian innovation travels beyond its borders.
Before the PCT system, seeking patent protection internationally was a fragmented and expensive process. Inventors had to file separate applications in each country, often navigating unfamiliar legal systems and timelines. The PCT offered a different pathway: a single international application that could later enter multiple national patent systems, giving inventors time to assess the value and reach of their inventions.
For Indian researchers, companies, and institutions, joining the PCT opened the door to a more global patent landscape. Universities, pharmaceutical companies, and startups increasingly began to think about innovation not just in domestic terms, but with an eye toward international markets and protection strategies.
Today, many of the patents that emerge from Indian labs and companies begin their journey through this route. It is a reminder that sometimes the most consequential shifts in the IP world are not loud reforms or headline judgments, but institutional frameworks that quietly reshape how knowledge moves across borders.
Some bells do not just chime, they change the routes through which ideas travel.
EVENTS
1. Roundtable: “The Copyrightability of AI Outputs” | Dialogue x ADP Law Offices
16 March 2026 | New Delhi
The Dialogue and ADP Law Offices will host the inaugural roundtable of a discussion series on “The Copyrightability of AI Outputs.” The event will convene experts to explore the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence, examining how copyright law should respond to AI-generated works. Those interested in attending may express interest by writing to Kriti Singh at kriti[at]thedialogue[dot]co.
More info
2. Orange Minds – IPR Lecture Series | CIPAM, DPIIT
16 March 2026 to 10 April 2026
CIPAM has launched “Orange Minds,” a lecture series aimed at strengthening awareness and understanding of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) among students and young innovators. The sessions will cover diverse themes and feature eminent experts. Interested participants are requested to select and register for the sessions they wish to attend.
More info | Register here
OPPORTUNITIES
SpicyIP Summer School 2026: Rethinking IP – Foundations, Faults, and Futures
20–28 June 2026 | Whitefield, Bengaluru | Residential Programme
The SpicyIP Summer School returns with a 9-day residential programme designed to cultivate critical pluralism in intellectual property law and policy, inspired by the legacy of Shamnad Basheer. Limited to 25 participants, the programme brings together scholars, practitioners, and students for intensive discussions and collaborative learning. This year’s theme, “Rethinking IP: Foundations, Faults, and Futures,” focuses on three interlinked terrains of engagement that shape every session, encouraging participants to critically examine the conceptual foundations, systemic shortcomings, and future directions of IP law and policy. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
More info
1. Positions: Young Professional / Associate / Consultant – Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL)
Application Deadline: 16 March 2026
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law is inviting applications from highly motivated and qualified lawyers for contractual positions as Young Professional (with or without prior experience), Associate, and Consultant (with or without PhD). Candidates must be Indian nationals and should preferably hold a Master’s degree in Law. The roles involve working on issues related to international trade and investment law within the policy and research framework of CTIL.
More info
2. Patent Agent | Ira Law
Application Deadline: 23 March 2026
Ira Law is seeking a Patent Agent with 2 – 4 years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in patent prosecution and a strong interest in gaining hands-on experience in patent litigation. The ideal candidate should hold an engineering degree, be a registered Patent Agent, and be keen to expand their expertise across both prosecution and litigation work. Interested candidates meeting the criteria should submit their CV to [email protected] by the deadline.
More info
3. LL.M. Programme | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Faculty of Law)
Application Deadline: 31 March 2026
The Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Faculty of Law offers an LL.M. (Master of Laws) programme designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of German and European law within a global perspective. The programme is intended for graduates with a strong background in foreign law and at least one year of professional experience, equipping participants with advanced legal knowledge and skills aligned with their academic and professional goals.
More info
4. Fully Funded PhD Scholarships (3) | Trinity College Dublin School of Law
Trinity College Dublin School of Law is offering three fully funded PhD scholarships for outstanding applicants joining its doctoral programme in the next academic year. Each scholarship provides four years of tuition fee remission along with a €25,000 annual stipend, supporting candidates undertaking advanced doctoral research in law.
More info
5. Fully Funded PhD: Law and Business (Innovation Law / Intellectual Property Law) | Luiss Guido Carli University
Application Deadline: 17 April 2026 | 16:00 (CEST)Luiss Guido Carli University is inviting applications for its PhD Programme in Law and Business (XLII cycle, a.y. 2026/2027), offering a fully funded doctoral position with a research focus in Innovation Law and Intellectual Property Law. The programme is based in Rome and provides candidates the opportunity to pursue advanced interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law, innovation, and business.
More info
Thanks to Lokesh, Niharika and Swaraj for the leads!
All non-sponsored listings featured here are events or opportunities free or nominally charged and ones we think our readers may be interested in. Sponsored listings will be marked as such. Unless specifically mentioned, SpicyIP has no affiliation to anything listed here. Know of an event worth sharing? Write to us at contact[at]spicyip[dot]com.
