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CNLU Announces Inaugural National Moot on Copyright and AI
Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) Patna, through its DPIIT-IPR Chair & Centre for Innovation, Research and Facilitation (CIRF), has officially announced the CNLU-DPIIT-IPR National Moot Court Competition, 2026. This significant academic event is being organized in collaboration with SS Rana & Co. and marks the first edition of its kind hosted by the university.
Focus on Emerging Legal Frontiers
The moot competition is specifically designed to explore the intersection of intellectual property rights and artificial intelligence. Participants will engage with complex legal and policy challenges that arise from AI-generated works, debates on authorship in the age of machines, and the evolving landscape of copyright liabilities due to technological advancements. The competition will be conducted entirely online, making it accessible to students across India.
Eligibility and Team Structure
This competition is open to all students currently enrolled in a 3-year or 5-year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program at any recognized college or university in India. Each participating team must consist of three members: two speakers and one researcher. Law schools are permitted to send multiple teams to compete.
Key Dates and Registration
The registration process is now open and will conclude on December 26, 2025. The moot proposition and rulebook will be released on December 5, 2025. Important deadlines include the last date for seeking clarifications (December 31, 2025), submission of the moot memorial (January 15, 2026), and the researcher's test (January 31, 2026). The preliminary rounds and inauguration are scheduled for February 1, 2026, followed by quarter-final and semi-final rounds on February 2, 2026. The final rounds will take place on February 15, 2026. A registration fee of ₹4000 per team is applicable.
Prizes and Opportunities
Significant prizes are up for grabs, including a ₹50,000 cash prize for the winning team, along with an internship opportunity at SS Rana & Co. The runner-up team will receive ₹40,000. Additional awards include ₹10,000 each for the Best Memorial, Best Researcher, and Best Speaker.
Impact
- This competition will significantly benefit law students by enhancing their understanding of complex legal issues at the cutting edge of AI and intellectual property law.
- It fosters crucial analytical and advocacy skills necessary for future legal professionals.
- While not directly impacting the stock market, it contributes to the discourse on AI governance and IP, which can indirectly influence technology and media sector regulations over time.
- Impact Rating: 1/10 (Minimal direct market impact, high academic/legal sector relevance)
Difficult Terms Explained
- Moot Court Competition: A simulated court proceeding where students argue a fictional legal case.
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
- Copyright: A form of IPR that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Technology that enables computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- AI-generated works: Creative content, such as text, images, music, or code, produced by an artificial intelligence system.
- Authorship Debates: Discussions and legal arguments concerning who or what can be considered the legal author of a work, especially when AI is involved in its creation.
- Legal and Policy Challenges: Complex issues and questions that require legal interpretation or the development of new rules and guidelines.
- Memorial: A written brief submitted by each team in a moot court competition, presenting their arguments and legal research.
- Researcher's Test: An assessment of a participant's research skills, often conducted separately from oral arguments.