13 November, 2026
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aditya Birla Auditorium | On-site
A collector can own a painting and still not own the right to reproduce it. Under Indian law, buying an artwork transfers the physical object, while copyright stays with the artist or their heirs unless assigned in writing. The artist also retains moral rights even after the sale.
In this panel, experts in law and the auction market come together to explore what collectors can resell, reproduce and exhibit, how long copyright lasts, and how heritage rules affect antiquities and export. The conversation also turns to forms where ownership is least settled: performance art that leaves no object to hold, digital works and NFTs, AI-generated art that unsettles authorship itself, and murals and sculptures in public spaces that belong to everyone and no one at once.
It asks: what does a collector truly hold once the sale is complete, and what does the artist continue to hold?
The ART MUMBAI Speaker Series is presented by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art
Kirti Balasubramanian is a Partner at Trilegal, Mumbai, practising at the intersection of intellectual property law and the creative industries. She is a member of the firm’s Art Advisory practice alongside her broader copyright and enforcement work, and is ranked Highly Recommended for India in the Copyright 1000 (IAM) — the guide’s top tier, identifying the world’s foremost copyright practitioners. The Copyright 1000 notes that Kirti has been instrumental in building Trilegal’s multidisciplinary copyright practice, combining technical expertise with commercial acumen to advise on IP strategy, licensing, and risk management across technology-rich and creative sectors. Kirti advises artists, cultural institutions, rights-holders, and creative industry businesses on the protection and monetisation of copyright and related rights. Her copyright practice spans the full lifecycle of rights — from structuring licensing and assignment agreements to advising on acquisitions of copyright-rich assets, protecting traditional artistic expressions, and navigating the legal frameworks governing geographical indications and intangible cultural heritage. She is equally adept at guiding investors through IP due diligence and advising media and entertainment clients on complex cross-border licensing, digital platforms, and emerging technology. On the contentious side, Kirti litigates copyright and related rights disputes before the High Courts of Bombay, Delhi, and Calcutta, and has developed a specialist practice in online infringement and domain-related abuse. Kirti is further recognised in the WTR 1000 2026 (Enforcement and Litigation) and named a Litigation Star for Intellectual Property by Benchmark Litigation (2026). She is an active member of INTA (Trade Issues Committee, 2026–27), AIPPI, the CII National Committee on IPR, and the Employment Law Alliance, where she serves as Co-Chair of the IP Specialty Group (2026–27).
Punya heads Client Relations and is an Auctioneer at Saffronart, bringing over 25 years of industry experience. A founding team member since 2000, she has helped shape the company's trajectory by directing business development, marketing, and global operations. Punya specializes in appraising, valuing, and advising on modern and contemporary Indian art for collectors. In 2012, she introduced the concept of Absolute Auctions on the platform, designed to make Indian art more accessible to young collectors. An active auctioneer since 2013, she oversees sales on Saffronart and StoryLTD, including the two flagship sales in Spring and Autumn. Her first solo auction in 2019 was a white glove sale, and she has conducted live charity auctions with organizations such as YPO and the Government of India. Punya holds an MSc in Applied Operations Research and a BSc in Mathematics from Delhi University, and is currently pursuing a leadership programme at INSEAD.
