New Delhi: Justice Prathiba M Singh has become the first Indian judge to be inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame 2026. The honour recognises her long contribution to intellectual property (IP) law in India. The induction was announced around IPBC Global 2026 in San Diego, where the Hall of Fame recognised legal leaders who have made a major impact on IP law, policy and practice.
This is a major moment not only for Justice Singh, but also for India’s growing global role in patents, trademarks, copyright and technology-related legal disputes. It also highlights how Indian courts, especially the Delhi High Court, are becoming more important in shaping modern IP law.
Details of Justice Prathiba M Singh International IP Hall of Fame 2026 Ward
Justice Prathiba M Singh of the Delhi High Court was inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame 2026, becoming the first Indian judge to receive this recognition. The Hall of Fame honours people who have made exceptional contributions to the world of intellectual property law.
According to her official Delhi High Court profile, Justice Singh was a leading intellectual property lawyer before becoming a judge. She has worked on major issues involving patents, copyright, trademarks and technology disputes, which made her one of the most respected IP voices in India.
Why Justice Prathiba M Singh was Honoured
Justice Singh is widely known for her deep work in intellectual property law. Her official Delhi High Court profile says she handled landmark IP matters before joining the Bench and later continued shaping IP law through her judicial work.
She has also held an important global role. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) lists her as Chairperson of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges for 2025–2027, which shows her strong standing in the international IP legal community. Her work is important in areas such as:
- Patent disputes
- Trademark protection
- Copyright enforcement
- Digital and technology law
- Standard Essential Patent (SEP) litigation
- Development of specialised IP court systems in India
IAM has also highlighted Justice Singh’s views on India’s evolving patent and SEP dispute system, showing that her influence goes beyond one or two cases and extends to how India is seen globally in IP law.
Importance of Justice Prathiba M Singh International IP Hall of Fame 2026 Award
This recognition matters because intellectual property is now closely linked with:
- Innovation
- Startups
- Pharma and biotech
- AI and software
- Electronics and telecom
- Global business investment
When a judge from India is honoured at this level, it signals that India’s legal system is being noticed for its role in protecting innovation and handling complex IP disputes.
What is the International IP Hall of Fame
The International IP Hall of Fame is a global recognition platform connected with the IP world. It honours people who have made major contributions to IP law, policy and practice over many years. The 2026 inductees included Justice Prathiba M Singh among a small set of globally recognised names.
In simple words, this is not a routine award. It is a career-level recognition given to people who have strongly influenced how intellectual property is understood, protected and enforced.
Who is Justice Prathiba M. Singh
Justice Prathiba M. Singh is a distinguished Permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court, widely recognized for her significant contributions to intellectual property (IP) law both in India and internationally.
Early Life and Education
- Education: She completed her 5-year law degree at the University Law College, Bangalore, graduating as the first-rank holder. She later obtained an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge, UK, as a recipient of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust’s ODASSS scholarship.
- Early Achievements: During her academic career, she represented India at the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court competition in Chicago, USA.
Legal Career and Litigation
- Legal Practice: Enrolling with the Bar in 1991, she established herself as a leading intellectual property litigator in India. She served as the managing partner of the law firm Singh & Singh.
- Landmark Contributions: She handled high-profile cases across various domains, including patents, trademarks, designs, and copyright. Notably, she represented Indian drug makers Cipla and Ranbaxy in the landmark 2013 Supreme Court case regarding Novartis’ patent for the cancer drug Glivec.
- Advisory Roles: Prior to her elevation to the bench, she served as an expert advisor to various parliamentary committees on amendments to IP-related legislation, including the Patents Act and the Copyright Amendment Act, 2012. She was also a member of the committee that drafted India’s National IPR Policy (2015).
- Senior Designation: In December 2013, she was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court, becoming the first IP practitioner to be elevated to this role.
Judiciary and Global Impact
- Delhi High Court: She was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court on May 15, 2017.
- Institutional Reform: She was instrumental in the establishment of the Intellectual Property Division at the Delhi High Court and chaired committees that drafted the Delhi High Court Intellectual Property Rights Division Rules, 2022 and the High Court of Delhi Rules Governing Patent Suits, 2022.
International Recognition
- WIPO: She currently serves as the Chairperson of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges (2025–2027 term), marking the first time an Indian judge has held this global role.
- IP Hall of Fame: In June 2026, she became the first Indian judge inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame for her exceptional contributions to IP jurisprudence.
- Academic Honors: In 2022, she became the first Indian judge to be elected as an Honorary Fellow of Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge.
