INTA’s Asia-Pacific Moot Court Competition moves to India for 2025: registration now open 

New Delhi, India—October 30, 2024—The International Trademark Association (INTA) has launched the 2025 Asia-Pacific Moot Court Competition, marking a significant milestone as the event moves to India for the first time. Set to take place at The India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on February 8–9, the competition continues its tradition of fostering intellectual property (IP) expertise among law students in the Asia-Pacific region. 

INTA began hosting moot court competitions over three decades ago with the Saul Lefkowitz Moot Court Competition in the United States. The Asia-Pacific competition, launched in 2017, has traditionally been held in Singapore. Its shift to New Delhi is in response to high interest and participation in the competition among law schools in India.  

“We are pleased to bring the Asia-Pacific Moot Court Competition to India,” said INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. “This move not only highlights the growing importance of IP in the region but also provides a unique opportunity for law students to engage with India’s vibrant legal community.” 

The competition aims to introduce law students to critical international trademark and unfair competition law issues. Participants will hone their brief writing and oral advocacy skills by applying international legal principles to the fictional case and presenting their arguments in a mock courtroom setting in front of a panel of judges, leaders in the IP community, and attorneys. 

Participating teams will argue the fictional case of Dolphin Gaming Adventures, Inc. v. Dol-Fin Excitement, LLC, and Dolly Paffin, a dispute centered on the use of trademarks in the gaming industry. The arguments will focus on foundational trademark issues, including likelihood of confusion, priority, and the scope of trademark rights. 

The competition is open to teams of students from any university or other higher education institution in the Asia Pacific region a degree from which renders its graduates eligible for admission to practice law. Teams must consist of two, three, or four students from the same school, with each school allowed to field one team. There will be two days of oral arguments in front of a panel of judges. 

Bringing the Asia-Pacific Moot Court to India for the first time marks an exciting chapter for intellectual property law in the region. This competition empowers the next generation of IP advocates, offering them a unique platform to hone their skills in a world-class setting and build valuable connections within the legal community. We are thrilled to welcome these talented teams to New Delhi,” said the 2025 APAC Moot Court Project Team Co-Chairs Madhu Rewari (Anand and Anand, India) and Tanya Varma (Fidus Law Chambers, India).

The prize for the best team, which receives the highest overall scores combined, is US $3,000 plus US $1,000 for their law school. The second-place team receives an award of US $1,500, the best oralist an award of US $1,000, and the best brief an award of US $500. 

“We encourage students to seize this opportunity to engage with leaders in the global IP community,” added Mr Sanz de Acedo. “The moot court experience allows participants to develop crucial advocacy skills and build relationships that will serve them well in their future legal careers.” 

The Asia-Pacific Moot Court Competition will take place at The India Habitat Centre in New Delhi from February 8 to 9, 2025. The deadline for registration and submitting briefs is November 15, 2024. Learn more about the competition. 

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