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: CopyrightX
Some bells don’t just chime in courtrooms, they resonate in classrooms across the world.
This week’s bell is for CopyrightX, the global copyright course offered by Harvard Law School and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and created by Prof. William Fisher. For over a decade, the programme has brought together students, lawyers, artists, technologists, policymakers, educators and creators from around the world to explore one of the most dynamic areas of law, all free of cost.
Having completed the course during the COVID years, this bell feels a little personal. What stayed with me wasn’t just the curriculum, but the classroom itself. Discussions weren’t limited to lawyers or law students, they included musicians, software developers, researchers, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and creators from different jurisdictions, each bringing a unique perspective on how copyright shapes their work. It was a reminder that copyright isn’t merely a legal doctrine, it’s something that intersects with creativity, technology, education and everyday life.
It is also offered in collaboration with universities and institutions across different countries. In India, the programme has been offered through National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, where Prof. Arul George Scaria has led the affiliate course, creating an opportunity for participants to engage with both international perspectives and the nuances of Indian copyright law.
Beyond the course itself, CopyrightX continues to make a wealth of learning resources publicly available. Prof. Fisher’s lecture recordings, reading materials, alumni notes and guest lectures remain freely accessible, allowing anyone with an interest in copyright to learn from them, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the programme.
Perhaps that is what makes CopyrightX worth celebrating. It doesn’t simply teach copyright, it creates a global community of people thinking critically about creativity, authorship, innovation and access to knowledge. In doing so, it reminds us that some of the most meaningful conversations about intellectual property happen not just in courtrooms or classrooms, but in the exchange of ideas across disciplines, professions and borders.
Some bells don’t just signal change, they bring people together to learn from it.
EVENTS
1. Webinar: Copyright Essentials – Copyright 101 | US Copyright Office
15 July 2026 | 10:30 PM (IST)
This webinar will discuss the foundations of copyright law, the copyright registration process, and programs supporting research, enforcement, and understanding concepts such as fair use. The session will also answer commonly asked questions, review educational resources and registration options, including the Copyright Registration Toolkit, and explain how the Public Information Office assists users throughout the copyright registration process.
More info | Register here
2. Webinar: AI for DNA & RNA Patent Preparation – From Sequence Data to Draft-Ready Applications | IPWatchdog
30 July 2026 | 9:30 PM (IST)
This webinar will examine the practical applications of AI in DNA and RNA patent drafting, including sequence extraction, homology analysis, motif identification, and consistency checking. The session will discuss how AI can accelerate patent preparation and review processes while preserving practitioner oversight and control.
More info | Register here
OPPORTUNITIES
1. Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentship Awards Application
Application Deadline: 31 July 2026
The Association of Commonwealth Universities is inviting applications for the Routledge/Round Table Commonwealth Studentship Awards. The award, valued at up to £5,500, is open to registered PhD students from Association of Commonwealth Universities member universities in Commonwealth countries outside the UK, as well as Chevening Scholarships and **Commonwealth Scholarship Commission alumni who are PhD students at any Commonwealth university outside the UK. Applications are welcomed from a broad range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, with preference given to disciplines typically covered by The Round Table journal, including law.
More info
2. Invitation of Professor under 150th Anniversary Chair Campaign | University of Liverpool
Application Deadline: 26 August 2026 | 23:30 PM
University of Liverpool is inviting applications under its 150th Anniversary Chair Campaign, which seeks to appoint at least fifteen outstanding and internationally recognised professors across five priority areas. Relevant priority areas include Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Digital Technologies, including applications across science, health, and the creative economy, and Creative Futures and the Cultural & Creative Economy, including music, film, and gaming, with an emphasis on digital innovation and AI.
More info
Thanks to Niharika and Lokesh 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.
