UGC NET LAW (058) · UNIT 09
UGC NET Law (058) Intellectual Property Rights and IT Law: Detailed Study Notes
Unit IX is statute-heavy and predictable: section numbers, time periods and landmark cases repeat every cycle. Topic 0 explains the exam pattern and the priority of each topic. Topics 1 to 3 cover the concept, theories and international conventions; Topics 4 to 6 cover copyright, patents and trademarks; Topics 7 and 8 cover geographical indications, biodiversity and traditional knowledge; Topics 9 and 10 cover the IT Act, cyber crimes and adjudication. Topic 11 collects master tables of numbers, institutions, matching pairs, a chronology, common traps and a revision plan.
- 5modules
- 12topics
- 83sub-topics
- 1.7 hto read once
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How to use these notes
- Round 1: ReadStart with Topic 0 and its priority table. Give the most time to Topics 4 to 6 and 9 to 10 (copyright, patents, trademarks, IT and cyber law), which carry the most questions.
- Round 2: ReviseSwitch on Revision mode on any topic page to keep each section's key terms, lists and tables. Learn the section numbers with their subjects, and the cases with their principles.
- Last week: RecallUse the rapid-recall sheet (numbers, institutions, matching pairs), then the chronology and common traps in Topic 11, and practice MCQs.
Full syllabus map
Every topic and sub-topic in this chapter, in study order.
Module 1Start Here, Concepts, Theories and Conventions
Exam pattern, what intellectual property is, the theories behind it and the international conventions.
1Concept and Meaning of Intellectual Property
Sub-topics
2Theories of Intellectual Property
Sub-topics
3International Conventions on Intellectual Property
Sub-topics
- 3.1 Master table (memorise year, subject, India's position)
- 3.2 Paris Convention 1883
- 3.3 Berne Convention 1886
- 3.4 Universal Copyright Convention 1952
- 3.5 Rome Convention 1961
- 3.6 TRIPS Agreement 1994
- 3.7 WIPO and the WIPO Internet Treaties
- 3.8 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) 1970
- 3.9 Madrid System (Trademarks)
- 3.10 Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya Protocol, UPOV and ITPGRFA
- 3.11 Other treaties worth a glance
Module 2Copyright, Patents and Trademarks
The three core statutes: subject matter, registration or ownership, infringement and remedies.
4Copyright and Neighbouring Rights
Sub-topics
- 4.1 Legislative history and framework
- 4.2 Nature of copyright: what is protected
- 4.3 Ownership (Section 17)
- 4.4 Rights of the owner: economic rights (Section 14)
- 4.5 Term of copyright
- 4.6 Assignment and licensing
- 4.7 Infringement (Section 51)
- 4.8 Limitations and exceptions: fair dealing and other free uses (Section 52)
- 4.9 Remedies
- 4.10 Neighbouring (related) rights
- 4.11 The 2012 Amendment: key points
- 4.12 Recent trends in copyright
5Law of Patents
Sub-topics
- 5.1 Framework and history
- 5.2 Meaning and criteria of patentability
- 5.3 Who can apply (Section 6) and forms of application
- 5.4 Procedure for grant: step by step
- 5.5 Rights of the patentee (Section 48)
- 5.6 Limitations and exceptions to patent rights
- 5.7 Revocation (Section 64)
- 5.8 Infringement and remedies
- 5.9 Recent trends in patent law
6Law of Trademarks
Sub-topics
Module 3Geographical Indications, Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge
The GI Act 1999, the Biological Diversity Act, plant variety protection and traditional knowledge.
7Geographical Indications
Sub-topics
8Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge
Sub-topics
Module 4Information Technology Law and Cyber Crimes
Digital and electronic signatures, e-governance, intermediaries, and cyber crimes, penalties and adjudication under the IT Act.
9Information Technology Law: Digital Signature, E-Governance and Electronic Records
Sub-topics
- 9.1 Background and objectives of the IT Act 2000
- 9.2 Digital signature (Section 3) and electronic signature (Section 3A)
- 9.3 Regulation of Certifying Authorities (Chapters VI–VII)
- 9.4 Duties of subscribers (Chapter VIII, Sections 40–42)
- 9.5 Electronic records and electronic governance
- 9.6 Intermediaries and Rules
10Cyber Crimes, Penalties and Adjudication
Sub-topics
- 10.1 Concept and classification of cyber crime
- 10.2 Civil liability: penalties and compensation (Chapter IX, Sections 43–47)
- 10.3 Adjudication machinery (Sections 46, 48, 57, 61–62)
- 10.4 Criminal offences under the IT Act (Chapter XI, Sections 65–78)
- 10.5 Surveillance, blocking and critical infrastructure
- 10.6 Related provisions in general criminal law
- 10.7 Landmark cases (very high yield)
- 10.8 Recent developments and trends (cyber law)
Module 5Cross-Topic Revision
Master tables of numbers, institutions, matching pairs, a chronology and common traps.
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