Trademark Law Course | NALSAR University | Prof. Sourabh Bharti
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 698 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Law |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Demystifying Trademark Law: A 4-Week Undergraduate Journey
In today's brand-centric economy, trademarks are more than just logos and names—they are vital business assets and symbols of reputation and quality. Understanding the legal framework that protects these symbols is crucial for any aspiring legal professional. This detailed blog explores a comprehensive 4-week undergraduate course on Trademark Law, expertly taught by Prof. Sourabh Bharti at the prestigious NALSAR University of Law.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Sourabh Bharti
Prof. Sourabh Bharti brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique pedagogical approach to the classroom. Having joined NALSAR in 2009 after completing his LL.M. at the same institution, he specializes in Intellectual Property (IP) Law. His teaching portfolio is diverse, encompassing Jurisprudence, Professional Ethics, and Administrative Law, but IP remains his core passion.
He teaches foundational IP courses to undergraduates and advanced electives on IP foundations and patent law to LL.M. students. He also conducts a specialized seminar on Traditional Knowledge and IP. Prof. Bharti emphasizes the enriching experience of teaching NALSAR's diverse and brilliant student body, which exposes all participants to the socio-political-economic contexts of law, reinforcing the idea of lawyers as social engineers—a perspective he integrates into his trademark law instruction.
About the Course
This course is designed to unravel the complexities of trademark jurisprudence. It moves beyond black-letter law to explore the theoretical foundations that shape trademark rights and their limitations. Students will engage with critical questions: What constitutes trademark infringement in the digital age? How does the law balance private commercial interests with the public's freedom to use language and symbols?
The curriculum is meticulously crafted to address both classical doctrines and contemporary challenges, including actionable confusion in infringement cases and disputes involving domain names. A central theme is understanding how trademark law, much like copyright and patent law, navigates the perpetual tension between public and private interest.
Intended Audience: This course is primarily designed for LLB students seeking a robust foundation in a key area of commercial and intellectual property law.
Course Layout: A 4-Week Deep Dive
The course is structured to provide a logical and comprehensive progression through trademark law.
| Week | Focus Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Theoretical Foundations & Legal Boundaries | History, functions of trademarks (source-identifier, quality, advertising), key legal concepts, and the scope of protectable subject matter. |
| Week 2 | Registration Process | Detailed examination of absolute and relative grounds for refusal of trademark registration, including distinctiveness, descriptiveness, and conflict with earlier marks. |
| Week 3 | Enforcement of Rights | Law of trademark infringement and the common law tort of passing off. Analyzing likelihood of confusion and damage to goodwill. |
| Week 4 | Contemporary Challenges | Trademark dilution theory (blurring & tarnishment), cybersquatting and domain name disputes under policies like the UDRP, and current debates in trademark jurisprudence. |
Essential Reading Materials
To guide their exploration, students will refer to authoritative texts, including:
- Kerly’s Law of Trade Marks and Trade Names (Thomson Reuters) – A definitive treatise.
- Aplin & Davis: Intellectual Property Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford) – Excellent for case-law analysis.
- Bentley & Sherman: Intellectual Property Law (Oxford) – A comprehensive textbook.
- Elizabeth Verkey: Intellectual Property, Law and Practice (Eastern Book Company) – A practical Indian perspective.
Why This Course Matters
This course offers more than just legal rules. Under Prof. Bharti's guidance, students learn to critically analyze how trademark law evolves in response to market practices, technological change, and societal needs. It’s an essential module for anyone aiming to practice in corporate law, litigation, brand management, or entrepreneurship, providing the tools to protect one of a business's most valuable intangible assets.
Enroll Now →