Windsor Law Team Shines at the Canadian Copyright Policy Moot with Second Place for each of: Best Policy Briefing (oral) and Best Memorandum to Cabinet (written)!

Authored By: Nikhita Nandeesha, LTEC Lab Research Assistant, Windsor Law Dual JD Candidate ’26

Pictured (L-R): Gurbir Mander (3L Single JD), Nikhita Nandeesha (3L Dual JD), Carlos Herrera (3L Dual JD)

We are proud to share that the team representing Windsor Law: Carlos Herrera (3L Dual JD), Gurbir Mander (3L Single JD) and Nikhita Nandeesha (3L Dual JD & LTEC Lab RA)  achieved an outstanding result at this year’s Canadian Copyright Policy Moot, finishing second overall among the finalist teams in Ottawa. The team received runner-up distinctions, with an Honourable Mention for the Best Policy Briefing (oral presentation) and Best Memorandum to Cabinet (written submission) among the finalist teams, reflecting the depth, clarity, and impact of their work. Congratulations to Université d`Ottawa/University of Ottawa team Selin Yalcin, Stefan Tampu, and Jarek Landori-Hoffman for securing the first place in these two categories!

The competition was hosted by the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Law, Technology and Society, bringing together teams from across Canada to address pressing copyright policy issues. The final round was judged by a distinguished panel of leaders in copyright and innovation policy, including representatives from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and the Copyright Board of Canada. The team had the privilege of presenting in person before this esteemed panel of judges in Ottawa, proudly representing Windsor Law at the national level.

Windsor Law’s advancement reflected the strength of the team’s work across both components, combining a well-developed, analytically rigorous written memorandum with a clear, structured, and persuasive oral presentation.

Over the past few months, the team worked tirelessly to develop and draft their policy proposal, specifically their Memorandum to Cabinet on Controlled Digital Lending (CDL), an issue at the forefront of copyright law, access to knowledge, and digital innovation. What made this experience especially meaningful was the depth of engagement it required, from grappling with complex legal frameworks to exploring real-world perspectives on how libraries, authors, and users interact in an increasingly digital environment. Our policy approach centered on a broad statutory exception for CDL, designed to expand equitable access to works while preserving the balance between users’ rights and creators’ interests.

A special thank you to our exceptional coach, Professor Myra Tawfik, whose guidance, insight, and unwavering support were instrumental throughout this process. Her expertise in copyright law pushed us to think more critically, refine our arguments, and elevate both our written and oral advocacy. Also, Windsor Law librarians, including Mita Williams, whose perspectives were invaluable. Engaging with those working directly in libraries helped ground our policy work in lived realities, ensuring that our proposals addressed this timely issue in a meaningful and practical way. We truly could not have done this without their support.

Advancing to the finals was an especially proud moment for the team. It was important to them not only to compete, but to bring Windsor Law onto the national copyright stage. In preparation for the final round, we revisited and strengthened our presentation, refining our policy pitch to be more compelling, responsive, and accessible to decision-makers, while continuing to deepen and stress-test our proposed solutions.

The team quotes their experience to be one of the most rewarding parts of law school. LTEC Lab is incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the team, their engagement with guidance from our own faculty and advisory members, and the opportunity to contribute to ongoing conversations shaping the future of copyright and access in Canada.