Justice Prathiba M Singh Makes History in Global Intellectual Property
Justice Prathiba M Singh of the Delhi High Court has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian judge to be inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor was awarded at the Intellectual Property Business Congress (IPBC) Global 2026 event in San Diego on June 16.
Justice Singh’s induction acknowledges her significant contributions to the field of intellectual property (IP) law in India. Her efforts have been pivotal in shaping the country’s IP framework and influencing national policy. She was inducted alongside esteemed individuals such as Italian IP expert Roberto Dini and the late British-Australian scholar William Cornish, who was recognized posthumously.
Currently, Justice Singh also serves as the Chairperson of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges, which further highlights her influence and leadership in the global IP community.
The IP Hall of Fame: Celebrating Excellence
Established by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) in 2006, the IP Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to IP law and practice. Inductees are chosen through a rigorous global nomination and peer-review process conducted by the IP Hall of Fame Academy, which includes leading judges, academicians, and practitioners worldwide.
Justice Singh’s Acceptance Speech
In her acceptance speech, Justice Singh expressed her gratitude and described the honor as a “humbling experience.” She reflected on the inspiration she drew from authors such as J Thomas McCarthy, Melville Nimmer, and Paul Goldstein, who are past inductees of the Hall of Fame.
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Justice Singh also emphasized India’s growing significance in the realm of intellectual property. She remarked, “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.”
Highlighting the advancements in Indian judiciary, she noted, “The IP divisions in the Delhi High Court and other High Courts in the country have given exclusive dedicated IP benches for dealing with IP disputes and 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. I do believe that my induction into the IP Hall of Fame is a recognition of India’s leadership in IP.”
A Personal Dedication
Justice Singh concluded her remarks with a heartfelt dedication 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,” she said.
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Celebrating Two Decades of IP Excellence
This year’s ceremony coincided with the 20th anniversary of the IP Hall of Fame. IAM Editor Rachel Mountain highlighted the impact of the Hall of Fame over the years, noting its role in recognizing individuals who have strengthened the IP system, advanced innovation, and inspired future generations of practitioners, policymakers, and business leaders.
The Academy also honors exceptional contributions to IP as a business asset through the Q Todd Dickinson Award, further underscoring the importance of intellectual property in global innovation and economic growth.
