SC Dismisses Roche’s Appeal Against NATCO Over SMA Drug
The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed Roche’s appeal challenging Delhi High Court orders that allowed NATCO Pharma to manufacture Risdiplam, the API for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) treatment. The Delhi High Court had found NATCO’s patent validity challenge credible and emphasized patient affordability over Roche’s exclusivity claim, denying interim relief.
DHC Rules Against Philips in 20-Year Patent Battle Over Video CDs
After nearly two decades of litigation, the Delhi High Court (DHC) has ruled against multinational tech giant Philips in its patent infringement case over Video Compact Discs (VCDs). The Court held that Philips failed to prove infringement of its ‘Digital Transmission System’ patent by a Delhi-based shop engaged in the replication and sale of video CDs.
BHC Grants Akshay Kumar Urgent Interim Protection Over Personality Rights
The Bombay High Court has granted actor Akshay Kumar urgent interim relief, restraining social media platforms, e-commerce sites, and AI content creators from using his name, image, likeness, or voice without consent.
DHC Intervenes to Protect Kumar Sanu’s Personality Rights
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has directed Meta Platforms and Google to consider removing URLs featuring morphed videos and offensive language targeting singer Kumar Sanu. Sanu’s plea seeks protection of his personality and publicity rights, including his name, voice, and likeness. The court emphasized the need for compliance with IT Rules and scheduled a follow-up hearing.
DHC Protects Hrithik Roshan’s Persona from AI Misuse
On 15 October 2025, the Delhi High Court (DHC) barred unknown John Doe defendants from exploiting Hrithik Roshan’s name, image, voice, or likeness for commercial purposes. The order prohibits creating merchandise or content using AI, deepfakes, machine learning, face morphing, or GIFs, reinforcing the actor’s personality rights against unauthorized technological misuse.
DHC Restrains Use of “WOW BURGER,” Upholds WOW Momo’s Trademark
A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court (DHC) overturned a September 2025 single-judge order that denied an interim injunction to WOW Momo Foods, restraining the use of the mark “WOW BURGER.” The Bench held that the mark’s distinctiveness lies in pairing the exclamation “WOW” with a food item, not the word “WOW” alone.
Mars and Cadbury Settle 25-Year ‘Celebrations’ Trademark Dispute Through Court-Recorded Agreement
The Delhi High Court (DHC) recently recorded a settlement by mutual consent between Mars and Cadbury in a 25-year-old trademark dispute over ‘Celebrations’ chocolate. As part of the resolution, both companies will distribute assortments of chocolates worth ₹5 lakh each to children studying in Delhi’s government schools, marking a sweet end to the long-running dispute.
DHC Restrains Use of “VIVANTA” by Unauthorized Entity, Upholds IHCL Trademark Rights
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has restrained Vivanta Stays from using the trademark “VIVANTA,” finding it deceptively similar to the well-known mark owned by The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of the Tata Group. IHCL discovered in April 2025 that Vivanta Stays was promoting luxury villa rentals under the name via its website and social media.
MHC Allows Ilaiyaraaja to Sue Over Alleged Copyright Infringement in Dude
The Madras High Court (MHC) has permitted legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja to proceed with legal action against the film Dude, its producers, and associated music companies, alleging unauthorized use of two of his songs. The next hearing is scheduled for November, as the dispute intensifies amid broader copyright battles over Ilaiyaraaja’s musical works.
MHC Bars ISPs and Cable Operators from Illegally Broadcasting Thamma
The Madras High Court (MHC) has granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of Maddock Films, restraining ISPs and cable operators across India from unauthorized streaming or broadcasting of the film Thamma. The order aims to curb piracy and protect the film producer’s intellectual property rights in the digital space.
CCCHYD Protects Actor Chiranjeevi’s Personality Rights
The City Civil Court Hyderabad (CCCHYD) has granted an ad-interim injunction in favor of actor Chiranjeevi, restraining over 30 online entities, including Mad Monkey Store, from using his name, image, voice, or likeness for commercial purposes without consent. The order reinforces the protection of personality rights against unauthorized exploitation in the digital space.
DHC Protects JNTL Consumer Health’s ORS Trademark Use
The Delhi High Court (DHC) granted interim relief to JNTL Consumer Health, restraining FSSAI from enforcing a ban on the use of “ORS” in its registered trademarks for electrolyte and beverage products. The court held that the company can continue using “ORS” with prefixes or suffixes until the next hearing on 10 November 2025.
DHC Seeks YouTube, ANI Responses to Mohak Mangal’s Video Reinstatement Plea
The Delhi High Court (DHC) has directed YouTube and Asian News International (ANI) to respond to YouTuber Mohak Mangal’s plea seeking the reinstatement of his videos. Mangal contends that his content was wrongfully removed due to a defamation complaint by ANI, and he seeks restoration of his videos and a stay on the removal order. The matter is scheduled for further hearing.
India Moves to Regulate AI-Generated Content with MeitY Draft Amendments
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released draft amendments to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, addressing synthetically generated content. The notification addresses misuse such as misinformation, impersonation, and other deceptive practices. The draft mandates labelling, metadata, and platform verification. Feedback deadline: 06 November 2025.
Japan Demands OpenAI Halt Use of Anime, Manga in Sora 2 Without Permission
Japan’s government has formally asked OpenAI to stop using Japanese anime and manga in its Sora 2 video generation app without approval, calling those creative works “irreplaceable treasures.” Officials urged a shift to an opt-in model, demanding prior consent from rights holders before AI recreations.
South Korea Launches World’s First Ministry of Intellectual Property
South Korea has established the world’s first Ministry of Intellectual Property, a standalone government body to centralise and steer national IP policy. The new Ministry will act as a “control tower” for policymaking, enforcement, and innovation strategy across patents, trademarks, copyrights and more.
USPTO Withdraws Vidal-Era Rulemaking, Proposes New IPR Reforms
The USPTO has issued a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) altering IPR (inter partes review) procedures and simultaneously withdrawn a 2024 Vidal-era proposal. Key reforms include restricting serial/parallel challenges and requiring petitioners to stipulate no duplicative invalidity attacks. Comments accepted until 17 November 2025.
USPTO Director Assumes Authority Over Patent Review Decisions
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires announced he will now personally decide whether the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) will hear patent validity challenges. This authority, previously delegated to PTAB judges since 2012, is being reassumed to address concerns over potential self-incentivization and fairness in the review process.
10x Genomics Sues Illumina Over Gene Sequencing Patents
10x Genomics has filed two lawsuits in Delaware federal court, accusing Illumina of infringing patents related to single-cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics technologies. The lawsuits allege that Illumina’s genomics kits and a newly announced gene-analysis platform unlawfully utilize 10x’s innovations for analyzing RNA in tissue samples. Illumina denies the allegations and pledges to “vigorously defend” itself.
EU Considers Tech Transfer Conditions for Chinese Investments
The European Union is exploring the introduction of preconditions for Chinese investments, including mandatory technology and know-how transfers. This initiative aims to address concerns over China’s significant technological advancements gained through European companies operating in China under joint venture agreements. The European Commission is expected to present a comprehensive proposal on this matter by the end of the year.
Archer Aviation Acquires Lilium’s 300-Patent Portfolio
Archer Aviation has invested $21 million to acquire Lilium GmbH’s 300-patent portfolio, covering eVTOL technologies like flight controls, battery management, and ducted-fan propulsion. This strategic investment in IP expands Archer’s assets to over 1,000 patents, boosting innovation potential and competitiveness in urban air mobility. Shares rose 8.5% post-announcement.
Australia Releases AI Policy Guide & Template for Responsible Adoption
The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources has unveiled the AI Policy Guide & Template, offering organizations a structured framework to develop and maintain AI policies. The template emphasizes core principles, expectations, and rules for AI systems, ensuring alignment with organizational values, industry standards, and legal obligations.
Viasat Prevails in Patent Dispute with Sandisk Over In-Flight Entertainment Systems
Viasat successfully defended against Sandisk’s patent infringement lawsuit in a California federal court. U.S. District Judge Haywood Gilliam ruled that Sandisk failed to prove its claims regarding digital rights management and stream buffering technologies. The judge also criticized Sandisk for unnecessarily prolonging the case by including a subsidiary without patent rights.
Reddit Sues Perplexity for Alleged Data Scraping to Train AI
Reddit has filed a lawsuit in New York federal court against AI startup Perplexity, alleging that it scraped Reddit content without authorization to train its AI system. The complaint also cites data-scraping companies like Oxylabs, AWMProxy, and SerpApi The complaint notes that Perplexity allegedly used at least one these data-scraping companies. Reddit seeks damages and an injunction.
Former Executive Charged with Selling U.S. Cyber Intelligence Secrets to Russia for $1.3 Million
U.S. prosecutors have charged Peter Williams, a former executive at L3Harris Trenchant, with stealing eight trade secrets from two unnamed companies between April 2022 and June 2025. Williams allegedly sold the information to a Russian buyer for $1.3 million. The stolen data pertained to cyber intelligence tools used in national security operations. Williams is also accused of purchasing luxury items with the proceeds, including a Washington, D.C., home. An arraignment and plea agreement hearing is scheduled for 29 October 2025.
China’s Innovent and Japan’s Takeda Forge $11.4 Billion Cancer Therapy Alliance
Innovent Biologics has entered a landmark $11.4 billion partnership with Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. The deal includes a $1.2 billion upfront payment and up to $10.2 billion in milestone incentives. The collaboration focuses on advancing IBI363 and IBI343, innovative cancer therapies targeting non-small cell lung, colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancers.
