Academic Integrity and Intellectual Property in Legal Research

The workshop on Academic Integrity and Intellectual Property in Legal Research was conducted by Ms. Maitrayae Sadhu, Assistant Professor of Law at Brainware University, Kolkata. The session provided our interns with a deep and structured understanding of the significance of ethical writing, authorship responsibility, citation discipline, and intellectual honesty within the legal academic ecosystem.

Ms. Sadhu emphasised how integrity forms the foundation of credible research, and how respecting intellectual property is not merely an academic requirement but an essential professional duty for every legal researcher and future practitioner. The session covered critical aspects such as authorship attribution, originality in legal writing, plagiarism and its variants, citation ethics, and acknowledgement of intellectual contribution.

An important dimension of the workshop focused on evolving challenges arising from AI-assisted tools in research and authorship. Ms. Sadhu discussed how technology can both strengthen research capability and, at the same time, test the boundaries of originality and accountability. Interns were encouraged to reflect on ethical AI usage, academic authenticity, and the long-term significance of building one’s own intellectual voice.

The discussion on citation methodologies, plagiarism detection, and AI plagiarism concerns was particularly valuable for participants at the early stages of their legal writing journey. Practical insights on referencing frameworks such as Bluebook and ILI citation methods helped students understand how citation discipline strengthens credibility and protects academic work from ethical breaches.

The workshop was not only informative but also deeply inspiring, reinforcing Vintage Legal’s commitment to nurturing research competence, academic ethics, and intellectual growth among young legal minds. We extend our sincere gratitude to Ms. Sadhu for sharing her time, expertise, and guidance with our interns.

Student Reflections

Yaditya Sandala — Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU)
“The workshop was so insightful because I have been able to get motivated — I always used to think article writing is hard, but there was a case University of London Press Ltd. vs Tutorial Press Ltd., in which the court held that ‘the originality lies in author effort, not novelty.’ This case has motivated me to work on my own writing and publish my work. And as Maitrayae Sadhu Ma’am said — When you die, your work lives on — this gave me another reason to get motivated and do my own work.”

Navami K — The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi
“The workshop was extremely informative and engaging. Ms. Maitrayae Sadhu explained complex concepts like plagiarism, citation ethics, and intellectual property rights in a very clear and practical manner. I particularly appreciated how she connected academic integrity to real-world legal practice, emphasizing how even small instances of plagiarism can have serious professional consequences. The discussion on citation methods, including Bluebook and ILI, was very useful, and her insights on how AI tools impact authorship and originality were quite thought-provoking. The interactive nature of the session and her willingness to answer participant queries made the workshop both insightful and enriching.”

Nimisha Srivastava — National Law University Odisha (NLUO)
“It helped me understand the importance of maintaining originality in academic writing and the ethical use of sources. I also learned about plagiarism, proper citation methods, and how intellectual property laws protect academic work. Overall, it was a valuable session that enhanced my research skills and awareness.”