BITS Law School Launches CRISP Centre to Drive Innovation Law, IP Research, and Shared Prosperity in India

Introduction

On June 2, 2025, BITS Law School marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Centre for Research on Innovation Law for Shared Prosperity (CRISP) at the BITS Pilani Mumbai Campus.

This new centre is slated to become a think tank for legal scholarship at the intersection of emerging technologies and policy frameworks. Acting as a bridge between India's premier engineering institution and the field of legal studies, CRISP positions BITS Law School at the cutting edge of innovation-focused legal discourse.

Aims and Scope

CRISP aims to serve as a vibrant hub for research and education in technology law, with a strong emphasis on fostering equitable growth. Its primary areas of study include:

• Wireless and ICT technologies: Wi‑Fi, 5G, 6G

• Legal issues surrounding patents, standards, and IP licensing

• Policies supporting innovation across emerging technologies

  
  

By doing so, CRISP responds directly to India’s strategic move toward a knowledge-based economy, ensuring that legal infrastructure keeps pace with technological growth.

Launch Event: Innovation Law & Policy Fellowship Conference

The launch featured the inaugural Innovation Law & Policy Fellowship conference, uniting legal scholars, innovators, and seasoned professionals. The main theme was Standard Essential Patents (SEPs)— patents critical to globally used technologies such as Bluetooth, MPEG, GPS, USB, and 5G. The nine fellows presented early-stage research, receiving vital feedback from an expert panel.

CRISP’s Four Strategic Goals

CRISP has outlined four central objectives:

1. Capacity Building across Academia – Enhancing understanding of innovation law in higher education institutions

2. Industry Outreach – Delivering targeted education programmes for working professionals

3. Fellowship Leadership – Grooming domain experts through mentored research

4. Student Empowerment – Equipping BITS Law students with specialized skills in tech-law intersections

   
   

Voices from the Inauguration

• Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, Founding Dean of BITS Law School, spoke about the aim to design IP frameworks that serve not only India’s large and diverse population but also contribute meaningfully to the Global South. He emphasized CRISP’s role in educating stakeholders and influencing both governmental and industrial policy-making.

  
  

• Justice Amit Bansal of the Delhi High Court, the event’s chief guest, lauded academic institutions for shaping SEP jurisprudence through a synergy of judiciary, academia, industry, and legal practitioners. He cautioned against SEPs becoming barriers to innovation, urging that they function as conduits for equitable technological progress.

  
  

Fellowship Details and Future Directions

The Innovation Law & Policy Fellowship welcomes applications from law graduates, researchers, academics, and postgraduates nationwide. Submissions are expected to explore both doctrinal and empirical research methods, addressing topics such as:

• Standard-essential patents (SEPs)

• IP protection and enforcement

• Barriers to innovation for Indian startups and SMEs

  
  

Selected fellows receive:

• Access to rich research databases and resources

• Mentorship from legal and industry leaders

• A monthly stipend

• Opportunities to refine their research

• Invitations to present their final papers at an international conference in early 2026

  
  

Esteemed Speakers

The launch event featured a diverse roster of experts:

• Dr. Unnat Pandit (CGPDTM, DPIIT)

• Rajesh Kumar Pathak (Director-General, Bharat 6G Alliance)

• Ashutosh Kumar (Singh & Singh Associates)

• Chitra Iyer (Philips India)

• Dr. Igor Nikolic (Nokia)

• Jishnu Aravindakshan (Tejas Networks)

• Dr. Julie Carlson (Qualcomm)

• Dr. Manveen Singh (JGLS)

• Nishant Sharma (Dolby India)

• S. K. Murthy (SK Legal Solutions)

• Sheetal Chopra (Ericsson India)

• Uta Schneider (Avanci)

• Victor Vaibhav Tandon (Saikrishna & Associates)

• Satyoki Koundinya (Nokia)

  
  

Why This Matters

CRISP’s establishment and its fellowship launch represent a strategic investment in India's legal architecture supporting innovation. As India transitions into a digitally enabled, knowledge-driven economy, such institutions are vital to ensuring that the legal system encourages groundbreaking research and inclusive economic growth.

About BITS Pilani and BITSLAW

• BITS Pilani, established in 1964, is a multi-campus, reputed centre for engineering and technological excellence. It has topped the Times All India Engineering Institutes Ranking (2024) and was rated the third most picturesque university globally by Lifestyle Asia.

  
  

• BITS Law School, Mumbai, is a fresh addition to BITS Pilani’s educational ecosystem, offering integrated five-year BA LLB and BBA LLB programmes recognised by the Bar Council of India. The institution aims to blend multidisciplinary education, practical skills, and constitutional values to contribute to a fairer and more just society.