On 7th September 2026, students attended an insightful guest session conducted by Mr. Amitava Banerjee, Independent Director (IICA) and an expert in Ethical Decision Making, Corporate Governance, Corporate and Finance Laws & ESG. The session was held at 1:45 PM and focused on the Competition Act, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Consumer Protection Act.
The session began with a discussion on the importance of understanding different laws in the context of managerial decision-making. Mr. Banerjee explained why legal knowledge is particularly relevant for MBA students and future managers, as business decisions often have regulatory and legal implications.
A major portion of the session focused on Competition Law in India. Students were introduced to the role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and concepts such as anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and combinations. The discussion also covered Sections 5 and 6 of the Competition Act, particularly in relation to combinations and the factors considered by the CCI while assessing them. The session helped students understand how competition law aims to promote fair competition and protect market efficiency.
The discussion then moved towards Consumer Protection Law, with particular emphasis on the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Students understood the importance of protecting consumer interests in modern markets and the changing nature of consumer rights.
Another important area was Intellectual Property Rights, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Mr. Banerjee highlighted that a trademark is an important marketing tool, while trade secrets can safeguard innovation and provide businesses with a competitive advantage.
Overall, the session connected legal concepts with practical business situations and demonstrated why managers need awareness of business laws while making strategic decisions.
Key Learnings from the Session
- Competition law promotes fair and healthy competition and prevents practices that can harm markets and consumers.
- CCI plays an important role in examining anti-competitive practices, abuse of dominance, and combinations.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019 strengthens the framework for protecting consumer interests.
- IPR protects business assets through patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
- Legal knowledge is essential for managers, as understanding regulations helps businesses make ethical, compliant, and strategically sound decisions.