The governing body responsible for intellectual property rights in India is the Intellectual Property Office, which operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It includes various IP offices across the country, such as the Copyright Office, Trademark Registry, Patent Office, and Design Office.

Copyright protection in India generally lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 60 years from the year following the author's death. For anonymous or pseudonymous works, copyright lasts for 60 years from the year of publication. In the case of posthumous publications, it lasts for 60 years from the year of publication.

Patent protection in India lasts for 20 years from the date of filing of the patent application. However, for patents related to pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, an extension of up to 5 years may be granted under certain circumstances.

To register a trademark in India, you need to follow these steps:
Conduct a trademark search: Check if a similar or identical trademark already exists by conducting a search in the Trademark Registry's online database.
File an application: Submit a trademark application online or offline with the appropriate fee and required documents, including a representation of the mark and details of the applicant.
Examination: The Trademark Registry examines the application for compliance with legal requirements and may raise objections or issue an examination report.
Publication: If the application is accepted, it is published in the Trademark Journal to invite opposition from third parties within a specified period.
Registration: If there is no opposition or the opposition is decided in your favor, the trademark will be registered, and a certificate of registration will be issued.

To enforce your intellectual property rights in India, you can take the following steps:
Cease and desist letter: Send a cease and desist letter to the infringing party, requesting them to stop the infringing activity and comply with your rights.
Mediation or negotiation: Attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation or negotiation, either directly or with the assistance of legal professionals.
Legal action: If the infringement persists, you can file a lawsuit in the appropriate court to seek legal remedies, such as injunctions, damages, or account of profits.
Customs recordal: If you suspect the import or export of infringing goods, you can record your intellectual property rights with the Indian Customs authorities to prevent their entry or exit.

Copyright infringement in India can attract both civil and criminal penalties. The person found guilty of copyright infringement may face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 3 years and/or a fine of ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 (Indian Rupees).

Yes, foreign individuals and companies can register intellectual property rights in India. The intellectual property laws in India provide equal protection to both Indian and foreign applicants. However, it is advisable to seek assistance from local intellectual property professionals to navigate the registration process effectively.

Dispute resolution refers to the process of resolving conflicts or disputes between parties. It involves various methods, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, which aim to achieve a resolution and avoid prolonged court proceedings.

Litigation is the process of resolving disputes through formal legal proceedings in a court of law. It involves presenting a case before a judge or jury, following prescribed rules and procedures, and obtaining a judgment or verdict that determines the outcome of the dispute.

Dispute resolution methods other than litigation, such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, offer several advantages. They are generally faster, less formal, and less expensive than litigation. They also provide the parties more control over the outcome, allow for creative solutions, and maintain confidentiality, depending on the chosen method.

Litigation is typically pursued when other methods of dispute resolution have been exhausted or when the parties are unable to reach a voluntary resolution. It is often used in complex cases where legal precedent, formal judgments, or court orders are necessary to resolve the dispute.

The litigation process typically involves several steps: filing a complaint or initiating the lawsuit, serving the complaint on the opposing party, conducting pre-trial discovery (gathering evidence and information), engaging in settlement negotiations, attending pre-trial conferences, presenting arguments and evidence at trial, and awaiting the final judgment.

Criminal offenses in India are primarily governed by the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which is a comprehensive statute that defines various criminal offenses and their corresponding penalties.

Some common types of criminal offenses under Indian law include murder, theft, robbery, assault, rape, kidnapping, fraud, bribery, drug offenses, cybercrimes, and offenses related to public order and safety.

In India, the police are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crimes, and conducting investigations. They play a crucial role in the criminal justice system by registering complaints, conducting inquiries, gathering evidence, making arrests, and filing charge sheets.

The stages of a criminal trial in India typically include registration of the First Information Report (FIR), investigation by the police, filing of a charge sheet, framing of charges by the court, examination of witnesses, presentation of evidence, cross-examination of witnesses, arguments by the prosecution and defense, and pronouncement of the verdict.

In criminal cases in India, the burden of proof rests on the prosecution. The prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt, which means that there should be no reasonable doubt left in the mind of the judge or jury regarding the accused's guilt.