Hemakshi Prabhu
Hemakshi Prabhu was a Junior Associate at ATB Legal, where she worked on intellectual property matters and company incorporation. She holds a BBA LL.B. (Hons.) from Symbiosis International University, Pune.
Insights
Articles by Hemakshi Prabhu
Intellectual Property
UAE Introduces New Trademark Fee Regime: What Businesses and IP Owners Need to Know
The UAE Cabinet, through Cabinet Resolution No. (102) of 2025, has approved a comprehensive update to the Ministry of Economy’s (MoE) fee schedule governing trademark services. This reform modernizes the UAE’s trademark system in line with international standards and reinforces the country’s growing focus on innovation and intellectual property protection. The updated fees will take […]
India
The IP of Festivals: How Diwali Crackers, Ganesh Idols, and Holi Colors Are Protected in India
India is a land of festivals, and its rich cultural heritage is expressed through countless products, designs, and innovations that accompany these celebrations. From the sparkling lights of Diwali crackers to intricately crafted Ganesh idols during Ganesh Chaturthi, and the vibrant powders of Holi, these festival-related creations are more than just objects they are intellectual […]
Intellectual Property
From Yoga to Ayurveda: Can Traditional Knowledge Be Patented in India?
India’s traditional knowledge is vast and deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. From the ancient practices of Ayurveda and Yoga to systems like Unani, Siddha, and Sowa Rigpa, this knowledge reflects centuries of communal experimentation and refinement. The question that often arises is whether such knowledge can be patented in India. The short answer is […]
Geographical Indication
Digital Authentication of GIs in India: Blockchain, QR Codes, and the Push for Counterfeit-Free Trade
Geographical Indications (GIs) occupy a unique and often underappreciated space in the intellectual property (IP) landscape. Unlike patents that reward inventors or trademarks that distinguish businesses, GIs are inherently collective rights tied to communities, cultures, and geographies. They protect products that draw their uniqueness from a specific region whether it is Darjeeling Tea, Banarasi Sarees, […]
India
Revocation of Novartis’ Vymada Patent in India: A Legal Analysis
The Indian Patent Office (IPO) has revoked Novartis’ patent in India for its cardiac drug Vymada on the grounds of lack of novelty and inventive step. This decision not only impacts the pharmaceutical industry but also reinforces India’s jurisprudence on the delicate balance between rewarding innovation and safeguarding public health. Legal Basis for Revocation The […]
India
Beyond Logos: The Rise of Color, Sound & Smell Marks in India – Branding in the Age of Experience
Think of the distinctive Airtel jingle. Or the iconic, red-soled shoe crafted by Christian Louboutin. Or even the familiar whiff of popcorn that greets you at a movie theatre. These are not just products or advertisements; they are experiences. In the modern marketplace, brands are no longer confined to logos, slogans, and names. Instead, they […]
Copyright Broadcast
Design Protection for Fashion and Jewelry in India: An Untapped Opportunity for Startups
India’s fashion and jewellery industries have always been celebrated globally for their artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural richness. The intricate weaves of Banarasi sarees, the elaborate zari embroidery from Lucknow, and the gemstone artistry of Jaipur represent not only aesthetic brilliance but also centuries of tradition. Yet, these industries face a persistent and damaging challenge: piracy […]
Foreign Trademarks in India
Use of Foreign Trademarks in India: Parallel Imports, Exhaustion Doctrine & Legal Risks
In today’s interconnected global economy, multinational brands sell products across multiple jurisdictions, often at varying price points. This has created opportunities for parallel imports, where genuine products are brought into India without the authorization of the foreign trademarks owner. While consumers may benefit from lower prices and increased access, parallel imports often referred to as […]
India
Sector-Specific Patent Insights in India: Pharma, Software and AI, Green Tech, and Traditional Knowledge
India’s patent ecosystem is shaped by a delicate balance: encouraging innovation while safeguarding public interest and cultural heritage. This balance plays out differently across industries, where the rules and interpretations of patentability can make or break an innovation strategy. Four sectors: pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and software, green technologies, and traditional knowledge illustrate how India applies […]
India
Trending Intellectual Property Issues in India: From AI Films to Cricket Brands
India’s intellectual property (IP) landscape is undergoing one of its most dynamic and challenging phases in decades. From artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping cinematic classics to cricketers trademarking their nicknames, and from deepfake celebrity endorsements to fast-fashion knockoffs, the scope and enforcement of copyright, trademark, and personality rights are being tested in unprecedented ways. This article […]
Copyright Broadcast
Guardians of Creativity: Copyright Law in India and Its Rising Importance in the Digital Era
In a world where stories, songs, and designs can travel across continents in the blink of an eye, creativity has never been more powerful. Yet, it has also never been more vulnerable. The same technology that allows a film to premiere globally on streaming platforms also enables a pirated copy to be uploaded within hours. […]
News
Nutella Declared a “Well-Known Trademark”: A Landmark Ruling by the Delhi High Court
In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court has officially declared Nutella, the globally recognized hazelnut cocoa spread by Ferrero, as a “well-known trademark” under Indian trademark law. This ruling extends protection to Nutella beyond its specific goods and service classes, granting it cross-category protection against misuse and dilution. The judgment underscores the increasing […]