National Conference on Technological Developments & Changing Dimensions of Law @ The ICFAI University, Dehradun.

About the Conference

No society can remain stagnant in the race of development, nor can the law. Law is bound to change in response to changing economic and social environment; otherwise demise to society is certain. Change in the law is continuum till it adapts to changed circumstances. The factors responsible for the change in the circumstances are many, but most contributive are technological developments. Technological developments are the harbinger of progress of human being. A systematic evolution in science and technology is blessed with number of facilities to the mankind, and is continuously proving its worth in governance of society. Technological development has also brought with it variety of legal issues; some of these have emerged because of want of law, some other have emerged because of the effect such developments. Let us understand this phenomenon with illustrations.

Technological developments have a major impact on advancing human rights. They can advance access to information, freedom of expression and association, disaster relief, aid efforts, election monitoring. We increasingly are relying on technologies to emancipate and empower people. However, technology can also be utilized for restrictions on human rights. Human rights violations happen through censorship, mass surveillance, tracking and tracing of individuals, unauthorized access to devices, jamming, interception and a lot more.

Information technology is an outcome of the nexus between computer technology and communication technology. The developments in the field of information and communication technologies have revolutionized business practices and made a shift from paper based transaction to electronic transaction. Now E-Commerce has become part of day to day human life. It has opened the road to E-Governance, E-Commerce, E-Banking, and so on. But as a result of development in area of information technology we are facing new challenges. Online marketing is growing whereas conventional market is shrinking. Stakeholders of conventional markets are crying. Again, growth of internet has created an entirely new medium for dissemination of messages, but their identification and regulation is too difficult. Internet has opened road to proliferation of porn industries, so also to E-terrorism.

A popular application of information technology is social media. It is integration of mobile/computer with internet communications. We are continuously being reported positive role of social media in present day world, their role in countering 26/11 terrorist attack, in flood and in other natural calamities. But internet and social media are also being used for spreading hatred feeling against the democratically established government.

New means of investigative technologies such as DNA profile, Narco-Analysis, Brain Mapping are frequently being used in criminal investigative system. They are all working efficiently and have in themselves the capacity to prevent the wrongful convictions including witness misidentification, poor defense, professional and police misconduct, false confession. But when we try to bring the analysis of these investigative techniques into witness box, the law of evidence prevents us from doing so. They are claiming legal admissibility of their data analysis since long.

Biotechnology is integration of natural science with use of living systems and organisms. It is rapidly emerging and far-reaching technology, and is described as the “technology of hope” for it is promising of food, health and environmental sustainability. Though sufficient claims have been made to contribute in this regard, several counter claims are also raised as to the harmful impact of modern biotechnology on agriculture, healthcare, and environment. Legal issues related to genetically-modified agricultural products are already on the table of hot debate, the introduction of issues of genetically modified living organism in the menu has made the debate burning. Then, there are issues concerning animal rights, too. And, what about the issues concerning sale of human organ which the biotechnology has made it possible?

Technology is changing rapidly and our community has an increasing reliance on that technology. And why not, if by virtue of science & technology, particularly the ART technology, the millions of infertile couple have experienced the joy of parenthood by in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Thanks to surrogacy. But a child born by surrogate mother may be utilized for terrorism, prostitution, unethical genetical engineering research. There are many issues related to surrogacy, and, among other things, considerable disagreement persists within medical profession, the medical ethics community, state legislatures, the courts and the general public. A law to resolve these issues is being awaited for long.

It is wrong to assume that technological development has no impact on environment. Whereas resent technological development, particularly towards the level of consumer satisfaction, is sensitive to environmental protection, it is not appearing so at the level of policy implementation. Almost 40 years have passed since we have law addressing the issues concerning environmental protection; meanwhile, new issues have emerged. Hence, the demand for modification of law is intensifying day by day.

If technological developments are gaining their meaning and importance, one of the responsible factors for such a result is legal protection to scientific venture. Law of Patent protection ensures that no one other than the person who innovates may have the benefit to his labour and investment. Likewise, the law of copyright stabilizes the creations of originally literary, aromatic, musical, and artistic works. But how far would it be just to give patent protection to life supporting drugs? Again, what is wrong if computer programme is given patent protection instead of Copyright protection? How far the 2005th amendment is helpful in promoting the scientific innovation? Why not patent protection of traditional knowledge?

The above mentioned legal issues are only illustrative. There are many other legal issues connected to technological development, as well. And in such conditions, if law is to remain effective in society, it must be responsive to technological developments. Reform in the law must take place; otherwise technological developments would have adverse effect on the society.

Themes/Sub-themes

1. Interaction of Technological Development and Law:

Relationship of law and technological development

Science and technology in setting the course of law

Globalization and the Role of Science and Technology in the       development of world justice

2. Technological Development and Human Rights

Technological development and violation of human rights

Freedom of access to information

Rule of social media and Right to privacy

Clinical Trial

Human Trafficking

3. Cyber-crime and law

Computer Hacking

E-Market versus Conventional Market

E-Governance

Misuse of Mobile-Phone Cyber Obscenity

Increasing Online Pornography Industries

Social Media and Propaganda War

4. Technological Development in Criminal Investigations and Law

Electric-shock

Narco-Analysis Test

Brain Mapping

DNA finger printing or Profiling

Lie Detector Test

5. Biotechnology and Law

Genetically modified foods/ living organs

Sale of Human Organs

Genetic Engineering and Animal Rights

Sex determination techniques

Surrogacy

6. Technological Development and its impact on Environment: Legal issues

Environmental and sustainable development

Climate change

Nuclear energy and civil liability

7. Technological Development & IPRs Regime

Monopoly rights over medicine and public health

Evergreening of patent

Patent over Macro-organism

Computer Programme: Patent Rights or Copy rights

Need for legislative protection of trade secrets in India

Patent rights on traditional knowledge

The above themes/subthemes, and topic covered in each sub-theme are only illustrative but not exhaustive. Paper can be presented on the theme, sub-theme, or topics covered under the subtheme of the conference, but with respect to corresponding legal conscience. The purpose of this conference is to gather the conscience of academicians, professionals and scholars, with respect to desirability of legal reform connected with the corresponding issues.

Call for Papers

Research Papers/Articles and Case Studies from legal fraternity are invited for presentation in the National Conference. Communication of acceptance will be sent to authors for presentation. Co-authorship is allowed, but each author is required to register and pay the registration fee individually.

Publication

The paper completed and duly presented will be published in Conference proceeding book bearing ISBN No/ e-journal. The abstract and full length paper must include Title, Author(s) Name & Designation, Name of the Institution of the Researcher, Mobile No. and E-mail address.

Submission Guidelines

The submission shall consist of an abstract and full paper.

An abstract shall not be more than 300 words excluding title and keywords.

The length of the paper should not exceed 3000 words.

Footnotes must conform to the authoritative standard, rules of legal citation and must include a description of each authority adequate enough to be understood by a reader.

Paper in MS Word format with the subject “NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT &

CHANGING DIMENSIONS OF LAW”

Cover page must contain name, nationality, e-mail, contact number, and name of the College/University along with the address of the participants.

In case of co-authorship, the covering letter should include details of all the authors.

Submission of abstract and full paper must be made to [email protected]

A Delegate must submit the hard copy of his/her paper on the day of Conference, at registration desk.

The paper should be in the following format:

Font Type: Times New Roman

Font Size: 12 pt.

Line Spacing: 1.5

Foot Note Size: 10pt

Citation Format: Bluebook 19th Edition/ILI Citation Style

Co-authorship is allowed to a maximum of 2 co-authors but each author is required to register and pay the registration fee individually. Payment should be made by cash/ demand draft (any nationalized Bank)/ NEFT/ RTGS.

Important Dates

Last Date for Submission of Abstracts: 1st April, 2019

Last Date for Communication of Acceptance of Abstract: 4th April, 2019

Last Date for Full Paper Submission: 10th April, 2019

Registration Fee

Before 6th April, 2019:-

Students: INR 800

Research Scholars: INR 1000

Advocates/Academicians: INR 1200

After 6th April, 2019:-

Students: INR 1000

Research Scholars: INR 1200

Advocates/Academicians: INR 1500

Payment Details

For Demand Draft:

The demand Draft should be drawn in the favour of “The ICFAI University Dehradun – Fee Collection A/c” payable at Dehradun and must be sent to Dean, ICFAI Law School, The ICFAI University, Dehradun. Registration fee by demand draft must reach on or before 6th April, 2019.

For Online Payment:

Bank: Kotak Mahindra Bank

Branch: City Centre, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, Uttarakhand-248001

Current A/c No.: 9312039654

IFSC Code: KKBK0000153

To confirm the registration, the scanned copy of the demand draft/acknowledgment copy of online transfer and transaction no. must be emailed to [email protected]

Accommodation

ICFAI Law School, The ICFAI University, Dehradun will arrange accommodation on prior intimation for the delegates on sharing basis @ Rs. 800/- (Room Rent, bedding and complimentary breakfast) per person per day. The weather is expected to be pleasant at that time.

No T.A. & D.A. shall be provided to delegates by the organizers. Other details regarding Conference can be obtained from the Organizing Secretary/ Conveners and viewed at the University website www.iudehradun.edu.in.

Venue for the Seminar

ICFAI Law School, The ICFAI University, Rajawala Road, Central Hope Town, Selaqui, Dehradun-248011

Contact

Mr. Avishek Raj, Organizing Secretary, National Conference 2019: [email protected]

Dr. Sagar Jaiswal, Organizing Secretary, National Conference 2019: [email protected]

Mr. Ankit Raj (Registration and Fee Submission Queries): +91-7979911072

Mr. Rudraresh K. Srivastava (Abstract & Full Paper Submission): +91-9696257480

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