This week’s IP developments include judicial rulings on pharmaceutical patents, copyright, and AI use in filings. Also features a free online patent treatise and international treaty updates affecting Indian IP practice.
SpicyIP Weekly Review: October 19–25, 2026
This week saw notable IP developments across India. Kerala High Court delivered a significant ruling on the patentability of incremental modifications in Novartis v. Union of India concerning Ribociclib, focusing on Section 3(d) of the Patents Act. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court adopted a tiered approach in Esteve Pharmaceuticals appeals, clarifying standards for interim relief in complex patent litigation.
At the international level, the Pandemic Agreement’s Provisional Annex on Benefit-Sharing (PABS) drew attention for its implications on IP rights and public health. Domestically, Professor Feroz Ali’s comprehensive treatise on patent law—'Ali on Patents'—was released in a free online version, enhancing access to scholarly analysis on patent doctrine and jurisprudence.
The week also highlighted emerging concerns around AI-generated citations in filings and the need for verification mechanisms. As innovation accelerates, practitioners must stay informed on both doctrinal shifts and policy reforms shaping IP enforcement and access.
Citations
- Novartis v. Union of India (2026)
- Esteve Pharmaceuticals (2026)
