Trade dress, protected under Section 2(zb) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, refers to the overall visual appearance of a product that signifies its source.

It helps prevent consumer confusion by ensuring that the design, shape, or packaging is uniquely associated with a specific brand.

In a recent ruling, the Delhi High Court restrained a company from selling trolleys deceptively similar to those of Mokobara, finding it an infringement of Mokobara’s distinctive trade dress.

The Court reaffirmed that trade dress extends beyond names and logos, covering aesthetic features that serve as brand identifiers.

Judicial separation is a legal remedy that allows spouses to live apart without dissolving the marriage. It is governed by Section 10 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and Section 23 of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

While the marriage remains legally intact, the order suspends marital obligations such as cohabitation. Grounds for judicial separation include cruelty, adultery, and desertion—similar to divorce. 

If the separation continues for one year, it may later serve as a ground for divorce. 

Recently, the Gauhati High Court granted judicial separation to a woman after her husband’s baseless doubts over their child’s paternity and repeated acts of violence were held to constitute cruelty.

Bail is a legal mechanism that allows an accused person to be released from custody while ensuring their presence during court proceedings, upholding the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” In India, there are four main types of bail.

Regular Bail is granted after arrest under Sections 437 and 439 of the CrPC.

Interim Bail is temporary and provided until the hearing of a regular or anticipatory bail application.

Anticipatory Bail, under Section 438 CrPC, is granted to individuals who fear arrest.

Lastly, the Default Bail is granted when the police fail to file a charge sheet within the prescribed time limit.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes flexible and multidisciplinary learning, including a shift towards four-year undergraduate degrees. It outlines a new vision for India’s education system, replacing the National Policy on Education, 1986.

Following its release, the government clarified that no student would be forced to study any particular language, and the medium of instruction would remain in English.

In line with this, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court seeking to replace the existing five-year integrated LL.B. program with a four-year standalone LL.B., citing NEP’s vision. 

Lok Adalats, or “People’s Courts,” are alternative dispute resolution forums established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, to deliver quick and amicable settlements without court fees.

They handle civil and compoundable criminal cases, and their decisions are final, binding, and not open to appeal.

Recently, National Lok Adalats have gained momentum, resolving lakhs of cases in one day. In May 2025, over 17 lakh disputes were settled in Jharkhand alone, and Delhi residents received up to 75% relief on traffic challans.

Lok Adalats help make justice accessible, especially for the economically disadvantaged.

The Agnipath Scheme, launched by the Indian government, is a short-term military recruitment initiative aimed at enlisting youth aged 17.5 to 21 years into the armed forces for a four-year tenure.  

These recruits, termed 'Agniveers,' undergo six months of training followed by 3.5 years of deployment.  

Post-service, up to 25% may be retained for permanent roles, while the rest receive a lump sum financial package but no pension.  

To support Agniveers transitioning to civilian life, Uttar Pradesh has become the first state to approve a 20% horizontal reservation in police recruitment and a three-year age relaxation, facilitating their integration into state law enforcement roles.

A gag order is a legal directive issued by a court or government that prevents individuals, media, or entities from publicly discussing or disclosing certain details about an ongoing legal case.

In India, such orders can be issued under Section 144 of the CrPC or the Contempt of Courts Act to protect the fairness of trials, prevent media bias, and safeguard victims' or witnesses' privacy. They may apply to parties, lawyers, police, or journalists.

While gag orders help preserve judicial integrity, they are also criticized for curbing freedom of speech and potentially being misused to stifle public scrutiny or dissent.

Kareva marriage, also known as Chaddar Andaazi, is a traditional widow remarriage practiced mainly in North India’s agrarian communities, especially among Jats in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

It involves a widow marrying her late husband’s brother or a close relative through a simple ceremony with a white cloth (chaddar). This custom aims to provide social and financial security to widows and keep property within the family. 

Courts have accepted a kareva marriage as a form of widow remarriage, but clarified it doesn’t grant all legal rights of a formal marriage.

There is also uncertainty about the property and inheritance rights of children born from these marriages, which the Delhi High Court to examine soon. 

In India, digital rape refers to the non-consensual insertion of fingers or objects into a person’s private parts.

The term “digital” is derived from the Latin word digitus, meaning finger—not technology. After the 2013 Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, such acts are recognized as rape under Section 375(b) of the IPC and under the POCSO Act when minors are involved.

Punishment ranges from 10 years to life imprisonment, with stricter terms for victims under 16.

Courts emphasize the need for sensitive handling by police, timely medical examination, and forensic support to ensure justice despite existing procedural hurdles.

Forum shopping is when a party files a case in a court believed to offer a more favorable outcome, rather than the one with proper or logical jurisdiction.

For example, someone might approach a court in a city known for consumer-friendly judgments, even if the dispute arose elsewhere.

While it may help some access justice, forum shopping is often criticized for being unfair to the opposing party, causing jurisdictional confusion, and overburdening certain courts.

To curb this, courts strictly apply jurisdictional rules—like filing in the location where the cause of action arose or where the defendant lives—to uphold fairness and judicial efficiency.

Predatory pricing is when a dominant company deliberately lowers its product prices — sometimes even below the cost of production — to drive competitors out of the market or stop new ones from entering.

Once rivals are eliminated, the company raises prices again to recoup losses and gain control of the market. This practice is illegal in many countries, including India, under the Competition Act, 2002.

Recently, the Competition Commission of India notified the Determination of Cost of Production Regulations, 2025, to curb predatory pricing and deep discounting in e-commerce and quick-commerce sectors.

Companies found guilty can face heavy fines, damage to their reputation, and restrictions on future pricing. The goal is to protect fair competition and prevent market abuse.

A "pump and dump" scheme is a fraudulent practice where individuals artificially inflate a stock's price through false or misleading promotions, often via social media, YouTube, or messaging platforms. 

Once the stock price rises due to increased investor interest, the perpetrators sell their shares at the elevated prices, making substantial profits. 

Subsequently, the stock's value plummets, leaving unsuspecting investors with significant losses.

Recently, in the Sadhna Broadcast case, actors Arshad Warsi and Maria Goretti were implicated for promoting the stock through misleading YouTube videos, leading to inflated prices before selling their shares.

Indian courts are adopting advanced legal tools to tackle rising tech-driven piracy.

One such tool is the Dynamic Injunction, which blocks not just the original pirated website, but also any mirror sites that pop up later, without needing a new court order each time.

Then comes the Dynamic+ Injunction, which goes further by protecting unreleased content, helping prevent leaks the moment a film or show is released.

The Superlative Injunction empowers rights holders to request real-time blocking of illegal websites and apps by directly notifying internet providers.

These evolving measures reflect the judiciary’s proactive approach to digital piracy and its efforts to safeguard intellectual property in a fast-changing tech landscape.