Organizing Institution
Himachal Pradesh National Law University (HPNLU), Shimla
Established in 2016, HPNLU is a premier institution for legal education in the Himalayas, focused on excellence in learning, research, and professional development.
Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Rights (CAIPR)
Established in 2022, CAIPR aims to undertake research in unexplored domains and raise awareness among professionals, scholars, and the public about Intellectual Property Rights.
Competition Overview
HPNLU and CAIPR proudly present the *National Virtual Intellectual Property Rights Essay Writing Competition 2.0, 2026*. The competition aims to foster an educational and rewarding experience for students and other participants, furthering interest and development in IPR.
Themes
AI Focused
– Artificial Intelligence: the end of human creativity or its greatest partner?
– The environmental cost of training large AI models
– Autonomous weapons and global security risks
– Should AI development be slowed?
IPR
– Deepfakes and personality rights
– One world, many laws: should IP be globally harmonised?
– Meme culture vs copyright law: infringement or cultural evolution?
– Is intellectual property a natural right or a state-created monopoly?
AI + IPR
– Data is the new oil but who owns it?
– When machines create art, what happens to the artists?
– Training Artificial Intelligence on copyrighted data: fair use or mass infringement?
Eligibility Criteria
Open to students, PhD & LL.M candidates.
Submission Format
– Word Limit: 2000–3000 words, A4 format
– File Type: MS Word
– Font: Times New Roman, Size 12 (Body), 14 (Headings)
– Citations: Latest Bluebook Citation Format, footnotes only — no endnotes or hyperlinks
– Originality: Must be original work with proper citations for borrowed sources
– Other: No borders. Exclusive publication rights reserved by organizers
Fee
₹250 for students, PhD & LL.M candidates
Awards
– 1st Place: ₹7,000
– 2nd Place: ₹5,000
– 3rd Place: ₹3,000
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: May 25, 2026
Announcement of Winners: June 7, 2026
Registration Process
Mode: Online
Requirement: Register via the link provided by the organizers
