In Indian law, a “Contract of Sale” involves the immediate transfer of ownership of goods for a price, while a “Contract for Sale” refers to an agreement to transfer ownership at a future date, contingent on specific conditions. The key difference lies in the timing of the ownership transfer and the
Hindu Joint Family v/s Coparcenary: Meaning, Characteristics & Key Distinctions (Hindu Law)
The Hindu Joint Family and Coparcenary are fundamental concepts in Hindu law regarding family structure and property rights. The Hindu Joint Family includes all lineal descendants from a common ancestor, encompassing both males and females, and operates under a Karta, typically the eldest male. In c
The Intersection of Business Law and Trade Secrets: Navigating Legal Challenges
Trade secrets are a vital part of business law, providing companies with a competitive edge through confidential information such as formulas, processes, and customer lists. In India, trade secrets lack dedicated statutory protection but are safeguarded under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, and commo
Adultery as a Legal Ground for Divorce under Hindu Law
Adultery remains a significant ground for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, where a spouse can seek divorce if the other engages in voluntary sexual intercourse outside the marriage. Although adultery is no longer a criminal offense following the landmark Joseph Shine v. Union of India jud
Understanding Cybersquatting and Trademark Infringement: Legal Challenges and Remedies
Cybersquatting involves registering domain names similar to trademarks with the intent to profit, posing a threat to brand owners. Trademark infringement, on the other hand, is unauthorized use of a trademark, leading to consumer confusion and potential harm to the brand’s reputation. In India, the
Compulsory Licensing of Patents: A Comprehensive Overview
Compulsory licensing of patents is a critical mechanism that balances patent holders’ rights with public interests, especially in India. Governed by Section 84 of the Patents Act, 1970, it allows for the issuance of licenses without the patent holder’s consent under specific conditions, such as unav
Academy of General Education Manipal v. Malini Mallya
In Academy of General Education Manipal v. Malini Mallya (AIR 2009 SC 1982), the Supreme Court of India affirmed Malini Mallya’s copyright over the YakshaRanga ballets created by Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth. The Court upheld Sections 13 and 17 of the Copyright Act, 1957, establishing that Mallya, as
Case Study: Creation Records Ltd v. News Group Newspapers Ltd.
In Creation Records Ltd v. News Group Newspapers Ltd (1997), the High Court held that a photograph taken during a photo shoot for the band Oasis did not infringe on the copyright of the artistic props used in the scene. The court ruled that the photograph was an independent and original creation by
Novation, alteration, and rescission are key concepts in contract law that enable flexibility in legal agreements. Novation allows for the replacement of parties or obligations, forming a new contract. Alteration modifies existing terms without terminating the original contract, while rescission can
The Diamond v. Chakraborty case marked a significant turning point in U.S. patent law, with the Supreme Court ruling that a genetically engineered bacterium is patentable under 35 U.S.C. 101. The decision affirmed that human-made living organisms, as products of human ingenuity, fall within the scop
Case study: University of London Press v. University Tutorial Press
The case of University of London Press v. University Tutorial Press Ltd ([1916] 2 CH 601) established that examination papers qualify as “original literary works” under copyright law. The court held that originality in copyright does not require novelty but involves skill, labor, and judgment in cre
In Macmillan & Company Ltd. v. Cooper (1924), the Bombay High Court ruled that the unauthorized publication of an abridged version of a copyrighted work constitutes copyright infringement. The court upheld the trial court’s decision, emphasizing that even an abridged version, which requires signific
Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994), is a pivotal Supreme Court case that clarified the application of fair use in copyright law, particularly concerning parodies. The Court ruled that commercial purpose does not automatically negate fair use and that a parody can be transformati
Case study: Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd v. Sri Sai Ganesh Productions and Ors.
In Yash Raj Films Pvt Ltd v. Sri Sai Ganesh Productions (2019), the Delhi High Court ruled in favor of Yash Raj Films, finding that the Telugu remake “Jabardasth” was a substantial copy of the Bollywood movie “Band Baaja Baaraat.” The court emphasized that copyright protection extends beyond physica
Case Study: The Gramophone Company of India v. Super Cassette Industries Ltd.
The Gramophone Company of India v. Super Cassette Industries Ltd. case is pivotal in copyright law, particularly in the music industry. The Delhi High Court ruled that Super Cassette Industries infringed upon the copyright of Gramophone Company by producing unauthorized version recordings of their s
Hans Kelsen’s Pure Theory of Law is a foundational framework in legal positivism that seeks to understand law purely as a system of norms, free from external influences like politics, morality, or social sciences. Kelsen’s approach emphasizes the hierarchical structure of legal systems, viewing law
Case study: Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Through its Registrar v. Dr. Zafar Singh Solanki & Ors
The Supreme Court, in Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner v. Dr. Zafar Singh Solanki & Ors., ruled that ad-hoc service as a Lecturer cannot be counted towards eligibility for the senior pay scale under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). The Court emphasized that CAS is a policy matter, and
The Companies (Restriction on Number of Layers) Rules, 2017, restrict Indian companies from creating structures with more than two layers of subsidiaries to prevent misuse and ensure transparency. While these rules aim to curb black money and shell companies, they have been criticized for potentiall
Jurisprudence is the theoretical study of law, analyzing legal systems, principles, and concepts. Originating from the Latin “jurisprudentia,” meaning “knowledge of the law,” it addresses fundamental questions about the nature, purposes, and relationships of law with morality and society. Rooted in
Case study: Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India and connected cases.
In the case of Gaurav Kumar v. Union of India (WP (C) No. 352 of 2023), the Supreme Court of India held that enrollment fees for advocates must align with Section 24(1)(f) of the Advocates Act, 1961. The Court ruled that fees cannot exceed Rs. 750 for general category and Rs. 125 for SC/ST advocates
Case study: BRS Ventures Investments Ltd. v. SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd. & Anr.
SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd. granted Gujarat Hydrocarbon and Power SEZ Ltd. a Rs. 100 crore loan secured by a mortgage and share pledges. Upon default, SREI invoked ACIL’s corporate guarantee and filed an IBC application against ACIL, admitted on 26.10.2017. BRS Ventures Investments Ltd.’s resol
Case comment: Vanshika Yadav v. Union of India, others And Other Connected Matters
In the case of Vanshika Yadav v. Union of India (W.P. (C) No. 335/2024), the Supreme Court addressed the NEET (UG) 2024 paper leak incident. Despite acknowledging leaks in Hazaribagh and Patna centers, the Court refused to cancel the exam, citing a lack of evidence of systematic breach affecting the
Case Study: Daimler Benz Aktiegesellschaft v. Hybo Hindustan
In the case of Daimler Benz Aktiegesellschaft v. Hybo Hindustan, the Delhi High Court ruled that Hybo Hindustan’s use of the “BENZ” mark for undergarments infringed on Daimler Benz’s well-known trademark associated with luxury cars. The court emphasized that the “BENZ” mark, renowned globally, shoul
In legal judgments, the doctrine of obiter dicta refers to remarks made by a judge that are not essential to the decision’s outcome. These are persuasive but not binding in future cases. Conversely, ratio decidendi denotes the legal reasoning forming the basis of a court’s decision on the precise is
Mergers involve the combination of two or more companies into a single entity, often to enhance competitive strength, achieve economies of scale, or expand market reach. De-mergers, on the other hand, entail a company splitting into two or more independent entities, usually to unlock shareholder val
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