đŽđł INDIA
Intellectual Property
1. Indian Patent Office Releases Revised Guidelines for Computer-Related Inventions
The Indian Patent Office issued the much-anticipated Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRI) 2025 in September. First introduced in 2013, the updated guidelines consider landmark judgments, offer new assessment frameworks, and introduce structured tests for examining AI, software, and algorithm-based patent applications, bringing uniformity across IPO branches.
2. IPR August 2025: Top Cases Roundup
Key IPR cases in August 2025 included the Supreme Court denying interim injunction to Pernod Ricard for âBlenders Prideâ mark against âLondon Prideâ in a trademark infringement case. Other notable cases covered Dream Girl 2âs copyright issues, ban on Sci-Hub, Minisoâs design piracy case, and the âOwn Name Defenceâ doctrine in trademarks.
3. EBC v Rupa Publications: Trade Dress Battle Over Pocket Constitution
The Delhi High Court granted an interim injunction to EBC Publications in a trade dress dispute with Rupa Publications concerning the look and feel of Indiaâs widely circulated pocket Constitution. The September 2025 order addresses the protection of distinctive packaging and presentation in the publishing industry.
4. Applications for National Intellectual Property Awards 2025 Announced
The IP Office announced the National IP Awards 2025, recognizing outstanding IP creations and commercialization efforts. Categories include Patents, Designs, Trademarks, GIs, Startups, MSMEs, Incubators, and Enforcement of IPRs. The submission deadline was October 2, 2025.
Media & Entertainment
1. Indiaâs OTT Universe Reaches 601 Million Users
Ormax Mediaâs fifth edition of The OTT Audience Report 2025 reveals Indiaâs OTT audience has reached 601.2 million (41.1% of population). While audience grew 10% year-over-year, the growth rate is lower than previous years. Active paid subscriptions stand at 148.2 million. The standout trend: Connected TV users surged 87% to reach 129.2 million users.
2. Bollywood Bounces Back Amid Streaming Stagnation
According to Ormax Chief, September 2025 saw Bollywood theatrical releases rebounding strongly even as the Indian entertainment industry grapples with streaming stagnation. Box office collections improved significantly compared to the previous year, with major releases driving footfall back to cinemas.
3. CBFC Under Fire: Censorship Concerns Escalate
Disquiet within the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) came to light in September 2025. The board hasnât met in six years, no reports have been issued, and terms have lapsed. Filmmakers report increasing âarbitrariness in censorship,â with Indiaâs Oscar entry Homebound facing significant cuts. Other affected films include Empuraan (24 changes including removal of Gujarat riots references).
4. TV Ad Volumes Rise 27%, Print Grows 26% in H1 2025
Excellent Publicityâs half-yearly report shows TV ad volumes rose 27% and print grew 26% in the first half of 2025. Digital spends dropped 8%, while radio revenues increased 10%. Sectoral shifts show washing powders and deodorants leading category growth. Television remained the dominant medium despite digitalâs rapid expansion in previous years.
5. Animation & More (AM) Summit 2025
The Animation and More Summit held in Mumbai on August 22-23 celebrated pioneers of Indiaâs animation industry. The event featured cutting-edge insights on industry shakeups, indie brilliance, and the future of animation content, drawing enthusiastic crowds eager to connect and learn.
Technology & Innovation
1. Semicon India 2025: Startups Showcase âAatmanirbhar Chipsâ
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Semicon India 2025 in New Delhi, where Indian startups showcased indigenous chip designs under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme. Bengaluru-based InCore Semiconductors unveiled a SoC Generator Platform reducing design time from months to minutes. To date, 23 chip-design projects have been sanctioned with 72 companies accessing advanced EDA tools. Roadmaps were unveiled for surveillance, broadband, smart energy meters, motor control, and space applications.
2. Opinion - Whatâs powering the next generation of deep tech startups in India
In just the first four months of 2025, Indian deep tech startups attracted $324 million in investmentsâmore than double the $156 million raised in the same period last year. The surge spans semiconductors, quantum computing, advanced materials, space tech, and AI, reflecting growing investor confidence in Indiaâs deep tech capabilities.
đ INDIAN SUBCONTINENT & REGIONAL
Intellectual Property
1. Pakistan Launches National IP Awareness Campaign
The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) launched a nationwide awareness campaign in September 2025 to educate businesses and creators about trademark and copyright protection, particularly targeting the textile and handicraft sectors.
Society
2. Revamping Nepalâs Education System
Considering the strategic importance of transforming the education system to keep abreast with the changes in the environment, the government of Nepal has reformed its education system by prioritising inclusivity and expanding access to learning opportunities for all sections of society. Consequently, Nepalâs literacy rate has shown a remarkable improvement in literacy rate, an 11.52 per cent jump from mere 48.6 per cent 20 years ago to standing at 76.2 per cent according to the 2021 survey report.
đ WORLD
Intellectual Property
1. WIPOâs Global Innovation Index 2025: âInnovation at a Crossroadsâ
The 18th edition of the Global Innovation Index, covering 139 economies, reveals a paradox: while breakthrough technologies in AI and quantum computing advance rapidly, global R&D growth has slowed to 2.9% in 2024 (projected to fall further to 2.3% in 2025)âthe lowest since the 2010 financial crisis. Switzerland retained its #1 position for the 15th consecutive year, followed by Sweden, USA, South Korea, and Singapore. China entered the top 10 for the first time (#10), a historic milestone for middle-income economies. India climbed to 38th globally (up from 39th in 2024 and 48th in 2020), maintaining its position as the top performer in Central & Southern Asia and #1 among lower-middle-income economies. India has been recognized as an âinnovation overperformerâ for 15 consecutive years, delivering outputs that exceed expectations relative to its development level. Indiaâs strengths lie in Knowledge & Technology Outputs (22nd) and Market Sophistication (38th), while challenges remain in Business Sophistication (64th) and Infrastructure (61st). The report also ranks the worldâs top 100 innovation clusters, with Bengaluru featured prominently among global innovation hubs.
2. World Intangible Investment Highlights 2025
Co-published by WIPO and Luiss Business School, the second edition reveals that intangible investment (software, databases, IP, R&D, brands, design) has grown over three times faster than tangible investment since 2008. The US dominates in absolute investment, while Sweden leads in intangible investment intensity.
3. Chinaâs CNIPA Releases 2025 Action Plan for IP Powerhouse
Released in May 2025, Chinaâs action plan outlines 118 specific tasks including revisions to Trademark Law and Copyright Law Implementation Regulations, drafts for genetic resource regulations, and traditional Chinese medicine knowledge protection. The plan focuses on stronger judicial enforcement and improved punitive damages.
Media & Entertainment
1. MIPCOM 2025: Creator Economy Takes Center Stage
MIPCOM 2025 in Cannes (October 13-16) marked âthe biggest shift in a generationâ according to organizers. The event heavily leaned into the creator economy, brand-funded content, and AI, making the traditional TV market relevant for the next generation. YouTube and creators dominated discussions, with several major deals announced between creators and established media companies.
2. Global Streaming and Production Updates
Industry briefings for September/October 2025 covered the 46th Manaki Brothers International Cinematographersâ Film Festival in Macedonia (September 20-26), Wildscreenâs new summit, and insights from NAB NYC 2025, reflecting the evolving global media landscape.
Technology & Innovation
1. MIT Technology Reviewâs 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch 2025
MIT Technology Review released its annual list highlighting promising climate tech firms working to decarbonize major economic sectors. Featured companies include Cemvision (Sweden), which uses waste materials and alternative fuels to produce low-emissions cement, reducing both mining needs and greenhouse gas emissions.
2. 22 MIT Startups to Watch in 2025
MITâs delta v Demo Day showcased 22 fledgling companies with AI-powered business automation, clean energy, data analytics, healthcare, and more. The startups demonstrated high-impact solutions addressing modern challenges, from energy storage innovations to medical diagnostics.
3. HP Launches Garage 2.0 in Singapore
In conjunction with HPâs 55th anniversary in Singapore, the company launched Garage 2.0âthe first initiative of its kind to accelerate AI startup growth. Modeled on the original HP Garage in Palo Alto, it aims to empower AI startups to turn ideas into impactful solutions, reinforcing Singaporeâs position as a hub for innovation.
4. Global Tech Layoffs: 180K Jobs Cut in 2025
As of October 2025, key tech firms globally have cut approximately 180,000 jobs, led by Intel, Microsoft, and TCS. The layoffs disproportionately affect mid-level engineers, sales, and support roles, while companies simultaneously ramp up hiring in AI, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure positions.
5. Chinese Scientists Solve All-Solid-State Battery Challenge
Chinese scientists developed a self-adaptive interphase that maintains intimate contact between lithium metal anodes and solid electrolytes without external pressure, a breakthrough toward commercialisation of all-solid-state batteries, the âgrailâ of next-generation energy storage.
This roundup was compiled from industry sources, legal publications, trade journals, and official announcements from September and October 2025. For deeper insights into any of these developments or to discuss how they impact your business, feel free to reach out.
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