Welcome back to another week of Bells & Whistles.
As always, we’ve rounded up a mix of developments, opportunities and thoughtful reads from across the IP world along with a Bell of the Week that’s well worth revisiting.
Bell of the Week: T.C. James
Some bells don’t ring the loudest, they shape the systems we rely on.
This week’s bell goes to T. C. James, whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on India’s intellectual property landscape.
Over the course of his career, James has worked across several key institutions that have shaped India’s IP ecosystem. He served as Deputy Registrar at the Copyright Office (1996–2001), Director (IPRs) in the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (2001–2009), contributing to the administration and evolution of India’s intellectual property framework through different institutional lenses. He has also been associated with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) as a Visiting Fellow.
His contribution, however, extends well beyond public office. Through his writings and policy interventions, James has consistently engaged with some of the most important questions in intellectual property. One of his most notable works, Patent Protection and Innovation: Section 3(d) of the Patents Act and Indian Pharmaceutical Industry, entered the debate at a time when India’s pharmaceutical patent regime was under intense international scrutiny. Responding to calls for weakening Section 3(d), the report examined India’s experience following the introduction of pharmaceutical product patents in 2005 and argued that the provision had not stood in the way of genuine innovation. Instead, it highlighted Section 3(d)’s role as an important public health safeguard against the evergreening of pharmaceutical patents while preserving space for the timely entry of generic medicines. The report remains an important contribution to India’s discourse on balancing patent protection with access to medicines.
His commitment to strengthening the IP ecosystem has continued through the National Intellectual Property Organization (NIPO), a non-governmental organisation recognised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Through NIPO, he has worked to promote dialogue, awareness, and capacity building by bringing together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, industry, and students to engage with contemporary issues in intellectual property.
What makes T. C. James’s contribution particularly noteworthy is his ability to bridge administration, policymaking, and scholarship. At a time when discussions around intellectual property often centre on landmark judgments and legislative reforms, his work reminds us that strong institutions, informed policy, and thoughtful public discourse are equally important in shaping the future of the IP ecosystem.
Some bells don’t just celebrate milestones, they celebrate the people who quietly build the institutions and conversations that move the field forward.
EVENTS
Training on the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and Related WIPO Global IP Services – Innovate in Tamil Nadu IP Conclave (IN2TN)
21 July 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:35 PM (IST)
This training will cover Introduction to IP and foreign patent protection outside India, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for global patent protection—what, why, and how, and the role of the Indian Patent Office and its key functions under the PCT.
More info | Register here
OPPORTUNITIES
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026–27 | Queen Mary University of London
Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
Queen Mary University of London School of Law invites expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers intending to apply for the 2026–27 British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship competition. The fellowship places primary emphasis on the completion of a significant piece of publishable research and the integration of the fellow into a community of established scholars in their field. Applicants must be British citizens or EEA nationals, or have completed a doctorate at a UK university. Applicants who do not meet these criteria must demonstrate a strong prior association with the UK academic community.
More info
Call for Applications: UNIDROIT Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme 2027
Application Deadline: 4 September 2026
International Institute for the Unification of Private Law is inviting applications for its Scholarship, Internship and Research Programme 2027. Applications are also open for the Sir Roy Goode Scholarship. Candidates may apply for scholarships relating to any of UNIDROIT’s work areas, existing instruments, or current projects. Special consideration will be given to applications on topics listed on the website, including law and technology and cultural property.
More info
Scholarship for Japanese Graduate Programs | Honjo International Scholarship Foundation
Application Period: 1 September – 31 October 2026
The Honjo International Scholarship Foundation is inviting applications for its Graduate Scholarship for international students pursuing or planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree at a Japanese graduate school. Applications may be submitted from abroad if applicants have been accepted to a Japanese graduate school. The scholarship is open to all nationalities and research fields, and applicants may apply directly to the Foundation without university pre-selection.
More info
Thanks to Niharika and Swaraj for leads!
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