Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai (MNLU Mumbai), through its Centre for Research in Intellectual Property (CRIP) and DPIIT-IPR Chair, invites original and unpublished research papers for Volume I, Issue 1 of Vindex Manasah: Intellectual Property Journal, its blind peer-reviewed biannual e-journal. The last date for submission of full papers is 15 December 2026.
About MNLU Mumbai
Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, established in 2014, is a National Law University dedicated to legal education and research. The University commenced its academic programmes in 2015 and offers undergraduate, postgraduate and specialised courses in law and allied disciplines.
Located in Powai, Mumbai, the University houses research centres focusing on areas such as Intellectual Property, Maritime Law and Arbitration. It also hosts the DPIIT-IPR Chair, which promotes intellectual property education and research.
About Vindex Manasah: Intellectual Property Journal
Vindex Manasah: Intellectual Property Journal is the flagship, blind peer-reviewed biannual journal of Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai. It seeks to promote interdisciplinary research and critical discussion on contemporary developments in intellectual property law and policy.
Published twice a year, the Journal provides an academic platform for examining emerging legal challenges, evolving regulatory frameworks and the relationship between intellectual property, technological advancement, creativity and socio-economic development.
The Journal welcomes original and unpublished scholarly contributions on various aspects of intellectual property law, including copyright, patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, trade secrets, traditional knowledge and related fields.
About the Call for Papers
The Editorial Board of Vindex Manasah: Intellectual Property Journal invites submissions for Volume I, Issue 1 from students, research scholars, academicians and legal practitioners.
The Journal encourages research examining emerging issues in intellectual property law, including its intersection with artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital markets, innovation, traditional knowledge and dispute resolution.
Eligibility
Submissions are invited from:
- Students
- Research Scholars
- Academicians
- Legal Practitioners
Themes and Sub-Themes
Authors may submit research papers on the following themes and sub-themes:
1. Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property
- AI, Patents and Inventorship
- AI, Copyright, Authorship and Ownership
- Training Data, Datasets and Data Governance
- Regulation of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property
- Generative AI, Deepfakes and Digital Content Protection
- Copyright Collecting Societies and AI-Generated Works
2. Intellectual Property in Life Sciences and Biotechnology
- Intellectual Property in Life Sciences and Biotechnology
- Compulsory Licensing, TRIPS Flexibilities and Public Health
- Biopiracy, Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), and Biodiversity Law
3. Trademark in Contemporary Era
- Trademark and Personality Rights
- Non-traditional Trademarks and the Expanding Notion of a Mark
- Trademarks in the Age of Social Media and Digital Creators
- Trademark Licensing and Franchising in a Changing Economy
- Bad Faith, Squatting and the Limits of Trademark Registration
- Trademark Protection in the Digital Marketplace
4. Competition Law, Digital Markets and Emerging Technologies
- Competition Law, Digital Markets and Intellectual Property
- Standard Essential Patents (SEPs), FRAND and Emerging Technologies
- Blockchain, NFTs and Intellectual Property
- Trade Secrets, Algorithms and Platform Governance
5. Patent Law, Policy and Innovation
- Patent Policy, Patent Quality and Post-Grant Challenges
- Academic Innovation, Open Science and IP Governance
6. Geographical Indications, Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Heritage
- GI-Trademark Conflicts and Brand Protection
- Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous IP Systems
- Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) and Community Intellectual Rights
- Customary Law, Community Rights and IP Frameworks
- Digital Documentation of Traditional Knowledge and Defensive Protection Strategies
7. Intellectual Property Enforcement and Dispute Resolution
- Intellectual Property Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Enforcement Technologies, Watermarking and Evidence in IP Litigation
Note: The above themes are illustrative and not exhaustive. The Journal also welcomes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research exploring the interface of intellectual property law with other fields of law, academic disciplines and emerging areas of research.
Submission Guidelines
Authors must comply with the following guidelines:
- Word Limit: Research articles must contain 4,000–6,000 words, excluding footnotes.
- Abstract: Each manuscript must include an abstract of not more than 250 words, outlining the research background, problem, objectives, methodology, central hypothesis or research proposition (where applicable), and principal findings or conclusions.
- Main Text: The abstract and main text must be formatted in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5-line spacing.
- Footnotes: Footnotes must use Times New Roman, font size 10, with single-line spacing.
- Alignment: The manuscript and all footnotes must be justified.
- File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx) only.
- Citation Style: All citations in the main text and footnotes must strictly follow the Indian Law Institute (ILI) Citation Style. Authors may refer to the official guidelines: Click Here to View Citation Guidelines.
- Originality Declaration: Authors must submit a declaration confirming that their manuscript has not been previously published and is not under consideration by any other journal or publication.
- Co-authorship: A maximum of two authors is permitted per manuscript.
- Plagiarism Policy: All submissions will undergo plagiarism screening. The permissible similarity index is up to 10%. Manuscripts exceeding this limit may be returned or rejected.
- AI-Generated Content: AI-generated content will not be accepted. Research articles must be original contributions of the authors.
Manuscripts that do not comply with these requirements may be rejected at the editorial screening stage or returned for revision at the discretion of the Editors.
Important Dates
- Deadline for Submission of Full Paper: 15 December 2026
- Notification of Acceptance: 15 January 2027
- Tentative Publication: By the end of January 2027
How to Submit?
Interested authors must submit their full research papers through the prescribed Google Form on or before 15 December 2026.
Submission Link: Click Here to Submit Your Paper
Important: Manuscripts must not be submitted through email. All submissions will be accepted exclusively through the Google Form.
Contact
For queries and further information, contact:
Vindex Manasah: Intellectual Property Journal
Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai
Email: [email protected]