BITS Law School Hosts Industry Round Table On Content, Commerce, And Compliance In India's Media And Sports Ecosystem

The round table examined the growing convergence of content, technology, and commerce, and the regulatory challenges arising from digital platforms, data-driven business models, and new monetisation structures. Discussions focused on compliance obligations, governance concerns, and legal risks in an evolving regulatory landscape.

The session opened with a welcome address by Dr. Chetana Lal, Head, Industry Interface and Career Advancement, at BITS Law School. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal, who reflected on the regulatory environment governing media and sports businesses in India and the need for legal frameworks that can respond to evolving commercial models.

Mr. Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal, said, "India's media and sports ecosystem is evolving in ways that call for policy frameworks which are simple, clear, and can accommodate innovation. As content and commerce increasingly converge across digital platforms, regulation must strike a careful balance between enabling growth and safeguarding public interest. Dialogues such as this roundtable play a vital role in developing thoughts for informed policy discourse and regulatory outcomes"

The round table discussion was moderated by Mr. Sameer Chugh, Chief Legal Officer, Games24x7, who set the context for deliberations and guided the conversation on issues relating to content regulation, commercial structuring, and compliance obligations in rapidly growing digital ecosystems.

Mr. Sameer Chugh, Chief Legal Officer, Games24x7, in his address mentioned "The discussions reinforced that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to self-regulation versus legislation. While self-regulation can work where the industry is aligned and consumer interests are prioritized, legislative intervention becomes necessary in certain other cases, making this a context-specific decision. The conversation also highlighted the regulatory gaps around AI, particularly in e-sports/gaming, where the use of bots and algorithms may be legitimate in certain formats like free-to-play or casual games but raises concerns once monetary elements/ cash prizes, are involved, underscoring the need for clearer regulatory frameworks".

Participants engaged in an interactive discussion followed by a question-and-answer session, reflecting on the practical challenges faced by organisations operating across media, sports, and allied sectors. The exchange highlighted the importance of informed dialogue between legal practitioners, industry stakeholders, and academic institutions.

The event concluded with the felicitation of the speakers and a networking lunch.

Dr. Chetana Lal, Head – Industry Interface and Career Advancement, BITS Law School, in her closing remarks stressed on “As media, sports, and gaming sectors evolve at the intersection of content, technology, and commerce, the demand for legal professionals with industry-ready skills is growing rapidly. Platforms such as this roundtable help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world practice by exposing students to contemporary regulatory and commercial challenges, thereby preparing them for emerging career opportunities in technology-led sectors.”

The round table forms part of BITS Law School's continuing efforts to foster structured engagement between academia and industry, and to create platforms for discussion on contemporary legal and policy issues that impact emerging sectors of the Indian economy.

About BITS Law School:

BITS Law School, Mumbai, is a new-age law school under the aegis of BITS Pilani, an Institution of Eminence. BITSLAW has been established with a vision towards becoming an inspirational benchmark for new-age, multidisciplinary legal education & research in India. The school offers legal knowledge, practical training, and holistic education to build legal professionals who will be passionate to create a more fair, just, and inclusive society. It aims to instil among its students, an appreciation of Constitutional Principles and the Rule of Law.

BITS Law School is approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and offers two five-year integrated full-time residential programmes – BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons). Website: https://www.bitslawschool.edu.in/