Justice Prathiba M Singh Becomes First Indian Judge Inducted into International IP Hall of Fame

Justice Prathiba M Singh, a sitting judge of the Delhi High Court, has been named to the International Intellectual Property (IP) Hall of Fame for the year 2026. This induction marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first Indian judge to be honored with this distinction for her impactful contributions to intellectual property law.

The induction ceremony took place on June 16 at the Intellectual Property Business Congress (IPBC) Global 2026 event held in San Diego, California. Justice Singh was inducted alongside notable figures including Italian IP practitioner Roberto Dini and the late British-Australian scholar William Cornish, who was recognized posthumously.

Justice Singh’s recognition stems from her instrumental role in developing IP jurisprudence within India. She has been pivotal in advancing the country’s intellectual property framework and has contributed significantly to shaping national IP policy. Her leadership extends internationally as she currently serves as Chairperson of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges.

The International IP Hall of Fame was established by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) in 2006 to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of IP law and practice globally. Inductees are selected through a rigorous global nomination and peer-review process conducted by the IP Hall of Fame Academy, which includes leading judges, academics, and practitioners in the field.

In her acceptance speech, Justice Singh described the honor as a “humbling experience.” She reflected on the legacy of previous inductees, many of whom were authors she studied during her legal education, including J Thomas McCarthy, Melville Nimmer, and Paul Goldstein.

Highlighting India’s growing prominence in the intellectual property arena, Justice Singh noted, “India is now a momentous country for IP. It is making tremendous strides in IP. This year we've had more than 150,000 patent applications filed in India which itself shows the kind of innovation that's taking place in India.”

She further emphasized the establishment of dedicated IP benches in the Delhi High Court and other High Courts across India, which have enhanced the adjudication of IP disputes. “India is the go-to IP country right now as I realize from the recent spate of SEP litigations that Indian courts are dealing and adjudicating,” she said.

Justice Singh expressed her belief that her induction into the Hall of Fame is also a recognition of India’s leadership in the intellectual property domain.

Concluding her remarks on a personal note, she dedicated the award to her family, colleagues, and nation: “I dedicate this award to my family and to my friends. My husband Mr. Maninder Singh and my son Karmanya are here. I miss my daughter who's not here. I also dedicate this award to the Delhi High Court and to my country India.”

IAM Editor Rachel Mountain commented on the significance of the Hall of Fame, noting that over the past two decades it has recognized individuals whose work has strengthened the IP system, advanced innovation, and inspired practitioners, policymakers, and business leaders worldwide.

The IP Hall of Fame Academy also annually selects the recipient of the Q Todd Dickinson Award, which honors exceptional contributions to the development of intellectual property as a business asset.

Justice Prathiba M Singh’s induction into the International IP Hall of Fame underscores both her personal achievements and India’s rising stature in the global intellectual property landscape.