Justice Prathiba M Singh of the Delhi High Court has been inducted into the International IP Hall of Fame 2026, becoming the first Indian judge to receive the prestigious recognition for her contributions to the development of intellectual property law and jurisprudence.
The honour was conferred at the Intellectual Property Business Congress (IPBC) Global 2026 held in San Diego on June 16. Justice Singh was inducted alongside Italian intellectual property practitioner Roberto Dini and the late William Cornish, who was recognised posthumously.
Justice Singh was acknowledged for her significant role in shaping and strengthening India’s intellectual property jurisprudence, contributing to the evolution of the country’s IP framework and influencing the development of national intellectual property policy. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the World Intellectual Property Organisation Advisory Board of Judges, a position that reflects her standing in the global intellectual property ecosystem.
The International IP Hall of Fame, established in 2006 by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM), recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of intellectual property law, policy and practice. Inductees are selected through a global nomination and peer-review process conducted by the IP Hall of Fame Academy, comprising leading judges, academics and intellectual property practitioners from around the world.
During her acceptance address, Justice Singh described the recognition as a significant professional milestone and noted that several renowned intellectual property scholars whose works she studied throughout her legal career, including J Thomas McCarthy, Melville Nimmer and Paul Goldstein, were among previous inductees into the Hall of Fame.
Highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global intellectual property landscape, Justice Singh observed that the country has witnessed substantial growth in innovation and patent filings, with more than 150,000 patent applications being filed in India during the year. She also pointed to the establishment of specialised Intellectual Property Divisions and dedicated IP Benches in the Delhi High Court and other High Courts, which have strengthened the adjudicatory framework for intellectual property disputes.
She further noted that India has emerged as a significant jurisdiction for the resolution of complex intellectual property disputes, particularly in the area of Standard Essential Patent (SEP) litigation, and stated that her induction reflected India’s increasing leadership and influence in the field of intellectual property law.
Justice Singh dedicated the recognition to her family, colleagues, the Delhi High Court and the nation, acknowledging their support throughout her professional journey.
The 2026 ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the International IP Hall of Fame. On the occasion, IAM Editor Rachel Mountain stated that over the past two decades, the Hall of Fame has honoured individuals whose contributions have strengthened intellectual property systems worldwide, promoted innovation and inspired generations of legal practitioners, policymakers and business leaders.
The IP Hall of Fame Academy also oversees the selection of recipients of the Q Todd Dickinson Award, which recognises outstanding contributions towards advancing intellectual property as a valuable business and commercial asset.
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