In today’s digital-first India, influence isn’t just about likes, followers, or viral videos—it’s about ownership. A new wave of Indian women creators is proving that behind every viral post, red-carpet appearance, and product drop lies something deeper: intellectual property (IP).
From comedy and cinema to couture and content—these women are not just building careers; they’re building IP portfolios, consciously or not. And in doing so, they’re reshaping what it means to own your brand, protect your story, and scale your creativity.
Let’s spotlight six remarkable women who are owning their brilliance and showing others how to protect it.
Shehnaaz Gill – Owning Her Voice, Her Name, Her Story
From Bigg Boss to Bollywood, Shehnaaz Gill has become a national favorite. She’s the face of beauty campaigns like Nirma Beauty Soap and Sugar Pop, and she’s charting a powerful path in film and music. In July 2024, she won a major legal case allowing her to break free from a restrictive music contract—reclaiming the right to work with multiple labels.
Shehnaaz’s growing brand presence means that her name, voice, and likeness are valuable assets. While a U.S. trademark application (CAFE TURMERICA) was filed earlier, future ventures could benefit from trademarking her brand name, copyrighting original work, and using personality rights to protect her identity in a commercial landscape.
IP Insight: Names, taglines, and even a signature laugh or catchphrase can be registered as trademarks if they’re tied to commercial use.
Sonam Bajwa & Neeru Bajwa – Icons of Punjabi Style and Business Savvy
Sisters in screen stardom and fashion sensibility, Sonam and Neeru Bajwa are household names across Punjabi cinema. From headlining films to shaping wedding style trends, their influence is far-reaching.
Sonam, in particular, has teamed up with brands like Campus Shoes and Lenskart, while Neeru continues to champion female-led storytelling through her production house. If either launched a fashion or lifestyle brand (a natural next step), they’d be perfectly positioned to protect:
- Their brand name and logo via trademark
- Original fashion designs via design registration
- Branded content or visuals via copyright
IP Insight: In India, garment patterns, embroidery designs, and even packaging styles can be legally protected under the Designs Act, 2000.
Masoom Minawala – From Reels to Runways, With IP in Mind
Masoom Minawala is more than a fashion creator—she’s a global ambassador for Indian design. Whether she’s walking at Cannes, hosting brand workshops, or amplifying Indian labels through her community, Masoom proves that content creation is a business powered by protection.
Her visual storytelling, fashion aesthetics, and personal brand could be safeguarded through:
- Copyright for original photos, reels, and branded campaigns
- Trademark for her creator handle and future fashion label
- Licensing agreements for collaborations and exclusives
IP Insight: Your content is your capital. If you don’t own it, someone else might.
Kusha Kapila – Comedy Queen, Brand Genius, and a Case for Content IP
Kusha Kapila has carved a space all her own—bold, funny, and fashion-forward. Her characters, sketches, and collaborations with platforms like Netflix, Myntra, and MAC Cosmetics make her a creative powerhouse. Her comedic personas like Billi Maasi are widely recognizable, making them strong contenders for personality-based IP.
A creator like Kusha can consider:
- Copyrighting her scripts, videos, and characters
- Trademarking recurring character names or content titles
- Using NDAs with collaborators to protect format ideas
IP Insight: Creative formats, characters, and recurring jokes—if distinctive—can be owned and licensed just like tech.
Why This Matters for Every Woman Creator
You don’t need to have millions of followers to begin protecting your creativity.
If Shehnaaz can trademark her name, so can your music.
If Kusha can protect her characters, so can your web series.
If Masoom and Sonam can influence fashion, so can your college design project.
Intellectual property gives you legal control, brand power, and future-proof freedom—whether you’re a student, startup founder, artist, or entrepreneur.
How to Start Owning Your IP
✔️ Trademark your brand name, stage name, or logo
✔️ Copyright your content—videos, posts, scripts, photos
✔️ Register fashion designs or packaging elements
✔️ Use NDAs and contracts with collaborators
✔️ Learn IP basics with trusted platforms like RASPREP or IP India
IP Belongs to Every Woman
At RAS Intellect, we believe that IP isn’t just for scientists and CEOs. It belongs to every woman building something of her own—whether that’s a business, a story, or a style.
This blog is part of our Women in Innovation series, celebrating creators who are not just making content—but making history, and protecting it.
📩 Ready to protect your ideas, brand, or story?
Write to us at info@rasintellect.com or visit www.rasintellect.com
