Justice Prathiba Singh appointed as Chair of WIPO Advisory Board of Judges, becoming the first Indian and Asian to hold the position. Learn about her achievements and global IP contributions.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh Appointed Chair of WIPO Advisory Board of Judges (2025–2027)
Justice Prathiba M. Singh of the Delhi High Court has been appointed as the Chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges for the 2025–2027 term. This marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first Indian and the first Asian to hold this prestigious position. WIPO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, works to promote and protect intellectual property worldwide. The Advisory Board of Judges is a high-level international forum comprising judges from various jurisdictions with deep expertise in intellectual property (IP) law. The board plays a crucial role in guiding WIPO’s engagement with judiciaries globally, ensuring its initiatives are responsive to the needs of courts across diverse legal systems and traditions.
Justice Singh’s Legal Career and Expertise
Justice Singh was elevated as a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court in 2017. Prior to her judicial appointment, she had an illustrious career as a leading IP lawyer, representing major cases in patents, trademarks, and copyright. She served as the Chairperson and Presiding Judge of the Delhi High Court’s first-ever Intellectual Property Division during the 2021–2022 session. Justice Singh has regularly appeared before the Supreme Court of India, the Delhi High Court, the IP Appellate Board, and the Indian Patent Office. Her advisory contributions include reforms to streamline the Copyright Office and patent examination processes, as well as assisting Parliamentary Committees on legislative amendments in the field of intellectual property.
Global Recognition and Contributions
Justice Singh’s appointment has drawn wide appreciation from senior government leaders and institutions. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the appointment as a landmark achievement for the country, highlighting Justice Singh’s extensive work on intellectual property matters and her authorship of a peer-reviewed two-volume book on patent law. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed pride in the appointment, noting that it reflects India’s growing global stature in the field of intellectual property and will strengthen the nation’s engagement with WIPO.
Current Roles and Academic Contributions
In addition to her role as Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges, Justice Singh currently serves as the co-chair of the World Health Organization’s Working Group on Regulatory Considerations on Artificial Intelligence in Health. She holds an LL.B. from University Law College, Bangalore, and an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field, the “Prathiba M. Singh Scholarship” for LL.M. students was established at Cambridge in 2013. She was named among the 50 most influential people in intellectual property globally for both 2021 and 2022.
Why This News Is Important
Enhancing India’s Global IP Leadership
Justice Singh’s appointment as Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges underscores India’s growing influence in the global intellectual property landscape. Her leadership in this capacity will contribute to shaping international IP jurisprudence and strengthening India’s position in global IP governance.
Strengthening Judicial Capacity in IP Law
The WIPO Advisory Board of Judges plays a pivotal role in guiding the organization’s initiatives to enhance the capacity of judiciaries worldwide in handling IP-related cases. Justice Singh’s expertise and experience will be instrumental in advancing these efforts, promoting a more robust and effective global IP legal framework.
Promoting Innovation and Economic Growth
A strong and efficient IP system is crucial for fostering innovation and economic growth. Justice Singh’s contributions to IP law, both domestically and internationally, will support the development of policies and practices that encourage innovation, benefiting economies worldwide.
Advancing Gender Representation in Global Leadership
Justice Singh’s appointment as the first female Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges sets a precedent for greater gender representation in global leadership roles. Her success serves as an inspiration for women in law and other fields, promoting diversity and inclusion in international governance.
Strengthening International Collaboration
As Chair, Justice Singh will facilitate collaboration among judges from various jurisdictions, fostering a more cohesive and cooperative international legal community. This collaboration is essential for addressing complex global IP challenges and ensuring the fair and equitable application of IP laws.
Historical Context
Evolution of WIPO and Its Role
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was established in 1967 to promote and protect intellectual property worldwide. Over the decades, WIPO has played a central role in developing international IP treaties and providing services to member states. The establishment of the Advisory Board of Judges reflects WIPO’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of judiciaries in handling IP-related cases and ensuring the effective enforcement of IP rights globally.
India’s Growing Influence in Global IP Governance
India has increasingly become a significant player in global IP governance, with its robust legal framework and active participation in international IP discussions. The appointment of Justice Singh as Chair of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges is a testament to India’s growing influence and leadership in the field of intellectual property.
Key Takeaways from “Justice Prathiba M. Singh Appointed Chair of WIPO Advisory Board of Judges”
| S.No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Justice Prathiba M. Singh is the first Indian and Asian to chair the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges for the 2025–2027 term. |
| 2. | She was elevated as a permanent judge of the Delhi High Court in 2017 and served as the Chairperson of its first IP Division in 2021–2022. |
| 3. | Justice Singh has authored a peer-reviewed two-volume book on patent law and has been recognized among the 50 most influential people in IP globally for 2021 and 2022. |
| 4. | In addition to her judicial role, she co-chairs the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Considerations on AI in Health. |
| 5. | Her appointment reflects India’s growing influence in global IP governance and highlights the importance of strong judicial leadership in IP law. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Justice Prathiba M. Singh?
Justice Prathiba M. Singh is a judge of the Delhi High Court and a leading expert in intellectual property (IP) law. She was elevated as a permanent judge in 2017 and has served as the Chairperson of the Delhi High Court’s first IP Division.
2. What position has Justice Singh been appointed to?
She has been appointed as the Chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Advisory Board of Judges for the 2025–2027 term.
3. Why is her appointment significant?
Justice Singh is the first Indian and the first Asian to hold this position, marking a historic milestone for India in global intellectual property governance.
4. What is the role of the WIPO Advisory Board of Judges?
The board provides guidance to WIPO on engagement with global judiciaries, ensuring effective judicial practices in intellectual property law and supporting courts worldwide in IP matters.
5. What are Justice Singh’s other notable contributions?
She has authored a peer-reviewed two-volume book on patent law, co-chairs the WHO Working Group on AI in Health, and has been recognized among the 50 most influential people in IP globally for 2021 and 2022.
6. How does this appointment impact India?
It strengthens India’s global standing in intellectual property governance, promotes judicial excellence, and highlights the country’s role in shaping international IP laws.
7. What educational background does Justice Singh have?
She holds an LL.B. from University Law College, Bangalore, and an LL.M. from the University of Cambridge. A scholarship named after her exists at Cambridge for LL.M. students.
8. How does this news relate to government exams?
Questions about international organizations like WIPO, global IP governance, and prominent Indian legal figures may appear in exams for UPSC, state PSCs, banking, and defense services.
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