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: PRS Legislative Research
Some bells don’t just help us understand the law, they help us understand how the law comes to be.
This week’s bell goes to PRS Legislative Research (PRS), an independent, non-partisan organisation that has transformed the way students, lawyers, researchers, journalists, policymakers and citizens engage with India’s legislative process.
For many of us, PRS is often the first stop when a new Bill is introduced or Parliament is in session. Its concise, well-researched Legislative Briefs distil complex Bills into accessible summaries, explaining not only what the law proposes, but also the context, key provisions and issues for consideration. Beyond Bills, PRS also provides valuable resources on Parliamentary debates, Standing Committee reports, MPs’ performance, State Legislatures and policy developments, making India’s legislative process significantly more accessible to everyone.
What makes PRS particularly remarkable is that it bridges the gap between Parliament and the public. Legislation can often feel dense and inaccessible, but PRS presents it in a way that enables readers to engage critically and meaningfully with the law-making process. Whether you’re preparing for a classroom discussion, conducting research, writing a policy paper or simply trying to understand a new piece of legislation, chances are you’ve relied on PRS at some point. Understanding that journey is just as important as understanding the final statute. PRS reminds us that access to knowledge is not just about making documents available, it’s about making them understandable.
Some bells don’t just document the law, they help us follow its journey from Parliament to practice.
EVENTS
1. Webinar: From Trademark Law to Public Health Governance: Intellectual Property, International Treaties and the Rule of Law in a Changing Global Order
12 August 2026 | Online Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (Central Time) | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Eastern Time)
This webinar will bring into dialogue three recent books examining the relationship between intellectual property, international economic law, public health, development, and global governance: Chinese Trademark Law from the Perspective of International Treaties (2026) and Le Droit Chinois des Marques au Regard des Traités Internationaux (2024) by Shujie Feng, and Fractures in IP, Trade, and Health: Centering a Public Health Framework (2025) by Srividhya Ragavan and Swaraj Paul Barooah. The discussion will explore how international legal norms are created, interpreted, implemented, adapted, and contested across jurisdictions and legal traditions. Participation is free and open to all, with advance registration required.
More info | Register here
2. Research Training and Development Event: Copyright for Researchers | Federation University
12 August 2026 | 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Organised by the Federation University Library, this session will cover the essential principles of copyright, how they apply to the research process, practical steps for clearing the use of others’ works and making your own work available, and FAQs on AI, the use of GenAI tools, and copyright. The session will consist of 30 minutes of presentation followed by question time.
More info
3. Webinar: Get More from the Hague System: Advanced Search and Portfolio Management Essentials | WIPO
19 August 2026 | Virtual Time: 17:00 – 18:00 (Geneva Time)
Organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization, this practical webinar will explore the latest enhancements to the International Designs Bulletin’s advanced search feature, as well as tools and processes for managing Hague System portfolios more efficiently. The session will demonstrate how to create detailed search queries using the enhanced search functionality through live examples and practical tips.
More info | Register here
OPPORTUNITIES
1. Associate Professor | School of Law, Western Sydney University
Application Deadline: 26 August 2026 | 11:30 PM
Western Sydney University School of Law is inviting applications for the position of Associate Professor. The School welcomes applications from outstanding and internationally recognised scholars in all areas of law. The successful candidate will contribute to the Faculty’s mission by driving innovative research and fostering new research collaborations aligned with its strategic goals.
More info
2. Lecturer in Law | University of South Wales
Application Deadline: 27 July 2026
University of South Wales is inviting applications for two full-time, permanent academic positions in its Law School. The School is seeking academics or legal practitioners with interests in Law and Technology (including Cyber Law and Artificial Intelligence & the Law), Equality and Human Rights, Intellectual Property Law (including Trademarks, Patents and Copyright), and International Business and Commercial Law (including Competition and Sale of Goods). The roles will be based primarily at Pontypridd.
More info
3. Research Scholarships | University of Sydney
Application Deadline: 11 September 2026
University of Sydney is inviting applications for Research Scholarships under the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) and equivalent University of Sydney scholarships. Available to international students commencing or currently enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), including Master’s by Research and PhD programmes, the scholarships provide 100% tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend of AUD 42,754 (2026 rate), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), a relocation allowance, and a thesis allowance. For Research Periods 1 and 2, 2027, applications must be submitted by 11 September 2026.
More info
Thanks to Lokesh and Swaraj for 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.
