About National University of Advanced Legal Studies

National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) is one of India’s premier National Law Universities, established in 2005 by the Kerala State Legislature. The university is recognised for its interdisciplinary approach to legal education, research, and policy engagement.

About CIPR

The Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) at National University of Advanced Legal Studies was established to promote research, awareness, and scholarship in the field of Intellectual Property Rights. The Centre actively encourages interdisciplinary engagement and aims to develop a robust intellectual property law database beneficial to researchers, institutions, innovators, and industries.

About the Seminar

Centre for Intellectual Property Rights is organising a National Seminar on “Music, Mental Health and Law” in August 2026.

The seminar seeks to explore the evolving relationship between music, therapy, neuroscience, mental health, and intellectual property law. It aims to encourage critical discussion on legal and policy issues arising from music therapy, copyright regulation, therapeutic interventions, and digital music platforms.

Themes and Sub-Themes

Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

Theme 1: Sonic Civilisations – Legal Histories of Indian Musical Traditions

• Hindu classical music and Carnatic music traditions
• Gharana and Sampradaya systems
• Music as Traditional Cultural Expression (TCE)
• Community rights and authorship issues
• Raga and Tala systems under IP frameworks

Theme 2: Raga, Rhythm, and the Brain – Law Meets Neuroscience

• Music therapy and mental health regulation
• Therapeutic claims and consumer protection laws
• Neuroscientific validation and liability concerns
• Workplace productivity and labour law dimensions

Theme 3: The Creator’s Shield – Copyright, Culture, and Control

• Copyright in classical compositions
• Performers’ rights and royalty frameworks
• Derivative works and infringement issues
• Traditional Cultural Expressions and global frameworks

Theme 4: Digital Soundscapes – Access, Fair Use, and Therapeutic Justice

• Therapy apps and digital music platforms
• Licensing and copyright exceptions
• Competition law and algorithmic access
• Public interest and therapeutic use exceptions

Theme 5: Harmonising the Mind – Regulating Music Therapy as Healthcare

• Certification and licensing of music therapists
• Ethical standards and malpractice liability
• Mental healthcare integration
• Regulatory challenges in India and comparative jurisdictions

Eligibility

The seminar is open to:

• Students
• Research Scholars
• Academicians
• Legal Practitioners
• Researchers and individuals interested in Intellectual Property and Mental Health Law

Registration Fees

• Academicians: ₹1000
• Research Scholars: ₹750
• Students: ₹500

Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts must be between 300–500 words
• Full papers should be 8,000–10,000 words
• Submissions must be original and unpublished
• Citation Style: OSCOLA (4th ed., 2012)
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12
• Line Spacing: 1.5
• Alignment: Justified
• File Format: .docx only

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 10 June 2026
• Communication of Acceptance: 15 June 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: 12 July 2026

Submission Procedure

Submissions must be emailed to:
📧 ciprseminar@gmail.com

Contact Information

For queries and additional details:
📧 ciprseminar@gmail.com