The Alliance Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (ACIPR), under the Alliance School of Law, conducted the Intra IP Debate Competition 2025 on the theme “Jhakaas, Bhidu, and the Law: Celebrity Rights and Intellectual Property Rights in the Entertainment Industry.” The event took place in offline mode and focused on the intersection of personal identity and intellectual property in the media and entertainment sector.

Debate on the Intersection of Identity and IP

The competition explored pressing legal questions about the ownership of celebrity voices, catchphrases, and performance rights. Participants debated the boundaries between personal identity and protectable intellectual property, with an emphasis on current trends and legal frameworks governing the entertainment industry.

Students analysed issues related to celebrity persona, freedom of expression, and the enforceability of performance rights under Indian IP law. The competition encouraged critical thinking, legal reasoning, and structured argumentation among participants.

Participation Across Law Programmes

The debate saw the participation of over 12 students forming 6 teams. These teams included students from the five-year integrated LLB programme and the three-year LLB course. The event served as a platform for engagement and learning, connecting classroom knowledge with evolving legal challenges in intellectual property.

The competition advanced through multiple rounds, culminating in a final between Team TC-03, comprising Sharmishta Santosh and Anjali Raj, and Team TC-10, represented by Vachan Shetty and Aditi Kukreja.

Judgement and Recognition

The final round addressed questions on the legal and constitutional dimensions of celebrity branding and proprietary rights over vocal signatures and phrases. Judges posed questions that tested the participants’ understanding of the legal limits of identity appropriation and media ownership under Indian IP law.

Following a thorough evaluation of content, clarity, and legal interpretation, Team TC-10 was declared the winner. Individual awards were presented to Vachan Shetty as Best Speaker for the Motion and Palak Sinha as Best Speaker Against the Motion.

Organising Committee and Acknowledgements

The event was coordinated by Dr Upankar Chutia, Mr Chakravarthy Naik, Ms Ancy P Anto, and Ms Ramanpreet Kaur Sandhawalia, with assistance from student volunteers of ACIPR. Rishiraj, a student member of ACIPR, delivered the vote of thanks and acknowledged the contributions of all participants, organisers, and faculty leadership.

The Intra IP Debate reinforced the role of academic forums in enhancing legal awareness and advocacy skills among law students. The Alliance Centre for Intellectual Property Rights continues to foster critical discussion on emerging issues in IP law through student-led initiatives and faculty mentorship.

Conclusion

The Intra IP Debate Competition 2025 successfully engaged students in examining contemporary issues surrounding celebrity rights and intellectual property. Through rigorous debate and academic inquiry, the event highlighted the growing significance of IP law in regulating the boundaries of fame, media, and identity in modern society.