About the Event:
The interactive session on "Ethics, Free Will, and Intellectual Property Rights," organized by the Institute of Legal Studies and Research (ILSR) at GLA University, Mathura, on March 20, 2025, brought together students, faculty, and scholars for a thought-provoking dialogue led by Dr. Satya Sundar Sethy, Professor of Philosophy at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai. Known for his deep engagement with consciousness, moral responsibility, and applied ethics,
Dr. Sethy delivered a compelling presentation that wove together philosophical depth and real-world relevance, sparking lively participation throughout the event.
Dr. Sethy began by exploring free will not as an abstract illusion but as a foundational element of human decision-making and moral accountability. He argued that voluntary actions arise from conscious deliberation, even in complex environments shaped by technology and societal pressures. This perspective directly informed his discussion on intellectual property (IP) rights—creators exercise free will when deciding to protect, share, or license their work. He cautioned that external forces, such as corporate demands or algorithmic influences, can undermine this autonomy, leading to ethical compromises in innovation.
Drawing from his extensive work on research integrity, Dr. Sethy emphasized the need for clear, transparent guidelines in collaborative authorship. He highlighted how disputes over credit and ownership often stem from unclear contributions, eroding trust and fairness in academic and professional spaces. In the context of IP, he advocated for systems that honor individual agency while fostering collective progress, especially in interdisciplinary and global collaborations.
The session gained momentum during the interactive segment. Participants formed small groups to debate practical scenarios: Should AI-generated content be granted IP protection if it lacks human free will? How do patent laws balance individual rights with public access, particularly in developing nations? Dr. Sethy enriched these discussions by referencing ethical frameworks from Indian philosophy, including reinterpretations of duty and righteousness that align personal responsibility with societal good. He also touched on engineering ethics, stressing that professionals bear moral obligations not just to innovate but to ensure their creations serve humanity safely and equitably.
Students actively engaged through live polls and open-floor questions. One standout moment came when a law student asked whether open-source movements reflect a higher ethical ideal by prioritizing communal benefit over individual ownership. Dr. Sethy responded by blending insights from Eastern thought—particularly ideas of interconnectedness—with modern IP challenges, suggesting that true ethical progress lies in models that respect both individual creativity and shared knowledge.
The event, attended by over 280 participants, concluded with Dr. Sethy urging the audience to view IP not merely as legal protection but as an ethical commitment rooted in free will and responsibility. Organized with precision by the ILSR team, the session reinforced GLA University’s dedication to interdisciplinary learning. It left attendees inspired to approach innovation with greater awareness of its moral dimensions, ensuring that intellectual progress remains just, humane, and inclusive.