Who is Marty Lipton? And what does he, one of 'America's 100 most influential lawyers', have to do with Indian Hotels' battle against Orient Express. Lipton is the inventor of a landmark takeover defense used by publicly traded companies to discourage unsolicited acquisitions!

Welcome to the world of POISON PILLS, SHARK REPELLANTS and WHITE KNIGHTS! Welcome to the very first episode of 'The Firm - Corporate Law in India' debuting on CNBC TV18, on March 21 2008.

In the 80s and 90s, Poison Pills became Corporate America's most commonly used defense against hostile takeovers. But the new century ushered in an era of corporate governance and clouded the use of any defensive measures that may deprive shareholders of value. The relevance of this corporate warfare seems limited in India, where company law does not encourage the use of differential voting powers or the issue of discounted preferential shares. But all that is changing! As an acquisitive India Inc. makes daily international forays, sooner or later it is bound to be thwarted by poison pills and porcupine provisions. What are these structures and how can an acquirer overcome them? Thats the 'HOT TOPIC' this week.

Also on 'The Firm' this week -

What is Michael OXLEY'S only REGRET about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 2002?

Why are Indian law firms so OPPOSED to the entry of FOREIGN LAWYERS?

And all the NEWS from the world of Audit, Tax & Consulting on 'BULLETIN BOARD'.

Don't miss India's first show on Corporate Law. 'The Firm' will be Corporate India's window to the constantly changing world of regulation and will feature India's leading tax and audit experts, top notch consultants and sharpest corporate lawyers. Watch 'The Firm' only on CNBC TV18.