Biological Diversity

India’s ABS Blind Spot: Conceptualising the Monitoring of Animal Genetic Resource Utilization under the ABS Framework

/ By / Biological Diversity

Unlike plant genetic resources, animal genetic resources have historically moved across borders through centuries of livestock exchange, breeding and interbreeding, making their origins and subsequent utilisation particularly difficult to trace. In this post, Achyuth examines India’s blind spots in monitoring their utilisation under the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework and explores how inter-institutional coordination could help address them. Achyuth B. Nandan is a PhD candidate at Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, specialising in intellectual property law.

India’s ABS Blind Spot: Conceptualising the Monitoring of Animal Genetic Resource Utilization under the ABS Framework Read More »

Announcing the 2026 Shamnad Basheer Essay Competition on Intellectual Property Law

/ By / Biological Diversity, Copyright, Data Exclusivity, Design, Geographical Indication, Innovation, Opportunities, Patent, Trademark

Celebrating the 50th birth anniversary of Prof. Basheer, earlier this year, we had promised to return with the 2026 edition of the Shamnad Basheer Essay Competition on Intellectual Property Law. And we are now delighted to announce the launch of this year’s competition! A master with the pen, Prof. Basheer continues to inspire us with his ability to make complex legal ideas accessible to a wider audience. Our long-time readers, and the many others who have engaged with his work,

Announcing the 2026 Shamnad Basheer Essay Competition on Intellectual Property Law Read More »

SpicyIP Tidbit: CGPDTM Calls for Comments and Suggestions on New Draft Pharma and Biotech Patent Application Guidelines (2026)

/ By / Biological Diversity, Drug Regulation, Others, Patent

In the time of this oncoming monsoon, it feels like its raining draft guidelines from the Controller General’s office! The office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) has released two new sets of draft guidelines today for the examination of patent applications related to pharmaceutical & biotechnology inventions. These draft guidelines are targeted towards streamlining the patenting procedures of healthcare inventions. All stakeholders invited to submit their comments or suggestions within 15 days from the date of

SpicyIP Tidbit: CGPDTM Calls for Comments and Suggestions on New Draft Pharma and Biotech Patent Application Guidelines (2026) Read More »

Image with SpicyIP logo and the words "Weekly Review"

SpicyIP Weekly Review (29 June – 5 July)

/ By / Biological Diversity, Copyright, Drug Regulation, Patent, Trademark

What an eventful week it was, with the post announcing the long-awaited results of the SpicyIP-jhana Blogpost Writing Competition, and posts on legal deposits, black-box AI, and house marks. This and much more in this week’s SpicyIP Weekly Review. Anything we are missing out on? Drop a comment and let us know.    Highlights of the Week Announcing the Results of SpicyIP-jhana Blogpost Writing Competition 2025 After carefully reviewing a range of thoughtful and insightful entries from participants across the

SpicyIP Weekly Review (29 June – 5 July) Read More »

India–Brazil TKDL Access Collaboration: The Next Phase of Global Biodiplomacy?

/ By / Biological Diversity, Traditional Knowledge

The recent collaboration between India’s CSIR and Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) on access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) marks an important development in the evolving governance of traditional knowledge and biodiversity. While framed as a patent examination initiative, Achyuth B Nandan explains that the agreement may have implications extending far beyond prior-art searches, particularly for disclosure obligations, user-country compliance, and the emerging architecture of global GRATK governance. Achyuth is a PhD candidate at Rajiv Gandhi

India–Brazil TKDL Access Collaboration: The Next Phase of Global Biodiplomacy? Read More »

Image with SpicyIP logo and the words "Weekly Review"

SpicyIP Weekly Review (February 23 – March 1)

/ By / Biological Diversity, Copyright, Others, Patent, Trademark

Entering March with a post on whether unjust enrichment act as a residual measure for claiming compensation for the use of biological resources? Another post on the working of the National IP Pendency Elimination Karma-Mission (NIPEKM). Case summaries and IP developments from the country and the globe in this week’s SpicyIP Weekly Review. Anything we are missing out on? Drop a comment below to let us know. Highlights of the Week Unjust Enrichment as a Residual Remedy for Biopiracy? Rethinking

SpicyIP Weekly Review (February 23 – March 1) Read More »

Unjust Enrichment as a Residual Remedy for Biopiracy? Rethinking ABS Failures Beyond MAT

/ By / Biological Diversity

Can unjust enrichment act as a residual measure for claiming compensation for the use of biological resources when contractual arrangements don’t work? Examining this legal doctrine and its relevance to access and benefit-sharing, Achyuth B. Nandan argues that, in light of varying state capacity to implement the ABS mechanism and weak user-side enforcement, unjust enrichment can act as a residual measure within the ABS framework and aid in furthering the purpose of ABS. Achyuth is a PhD candidate at Rajiv

Unjust Enrichment as a Residual Remedy for Biopiracy? Rethinking ABS Failures Beyond MAT Read More »

Image with SpicyIP logo and the words "Weekly Review"

SpicyIP Weekly Review (December 8 – December 14)

/ By / Biological Diversity, Copyright, Opportunities, Others, Patent, Trademark, Traditional Knowledge

The SpicyIP Podcast Episode 10 with Sheja Ehtesham is now live on our YouTube channel. Deadline for the 1st National Policy Brief Competition by SpicyIP and CIPAM, DPIIT has been extended to 21st December, 2025. Why we should stop using the word ‘technical’ when we talk about Section 3(k)? This and much more in this week’s SpicyIP Weekly Review. Anything we are missing out on? Drop a comment below to let us know.  Highlights of the Week The SpicyIP TV

SpicyIP Weekly Review (December 8 – December 14) Read More »

Establishment of Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) of the CBD: A New Direction for IPLCs and Traditional Knowledge Protection?

/ By / Biological Diversity

The CBD’s recent creation of a permanent body for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J) marks a significant shift in how global biodiversity governance engages with traditional knowledge. But does SB8J offer real change or just renewed symbolism? Achyuth B Nandan examines this question and looks at the implications of this development. Achyuth is a PhD candidate at Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, specialising in intellectual property law. He is also a registered advocate with the

Establishment of Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) of the CBD: A New Direction for IPLCs and Traditional Knowledge Protection? Read More »

What the India–UK Free Trade Agreement Means for GRATK Protection: A Missed Opportunity?

/ By / Biological Diversity, Traditional Knowledge

In light of the recently concluded India-UK CETA, Achyuth B Nandan critically examines how far the FTA accommodates the protection of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK). Achyuth is a PhD candidate at Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law, IIT Kharagpur, specialising in intellectual property law. He is also a registered advocate with the Bar Council of Kerala. His previous posts can be accessed here. What the India–UK Free Trade Agreement Means for GRATK Protection: A Missed Opportunity? Achyuth

What the India–UK Free Trade Agreement Means for GRATK Protection: A Missed Opportunity? Read More »

Scroll to Top