Managing IP Recognizes Justice Prathiba M Singh Amongst 50 Most Influential People In Intellectual Property In 2022

Managing IP has recognized Delhi High Court judge Justice Prathiba M Singh amongst 50 most influential people in intellectual property this year.

The judge was also featured in the 2021 list for her "instrumental role" in setting up India's first intellectual property-focused judicial forum - the Delhi High Court Intellectual Property Division.

This year, she has been featured for delivering certain important rulings "as one of the first appointed judges of the newly established forum."

"According to stakeholders, Singh hasn't just been using judgments to resolve individual cases, she has also set out broad policy positions to help rights owners more generally," the Managing IP said in an article published on its website.

Managing IP in the article referred to Justice Singh's landmark rulings.

In the case titled Dr Reddy's Laboratories v. Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks, Justice Singh had imposed a cost of Rs. 1 lakh each on two officials of office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) over non-disclosure of facts. The court had also passed various directions to CGPDTM.

Another decision mentioned by Managing IP is the Dabur India v. Ashok Kumar, wherein Justice Singh had directed the government authorities and domain name registrars to formulate solutions to curb malpractice from registrants.

Justice Singh had said that it has become increasingly challenging to enforce orders passed by Indian Courts against domain name registering entities located across the country as a large number of them do not have any base or office in India.

She was also part of the two committees that released rules on the functioning of the IP division and adjudication of patent disputes in February. Managing IP said the rules have made processing IP cases, particularly patent matters, much faster and easier.

"Singh has held a judicial position for a little over five years – but her record already shows that having a former industry practitioner as a judge can lead to real and effective change," Managing IP said. 

The list also features Ankit Sahni, an IP lawyer and owner of RAGHAV Artificial Intelligence Painting App.

"Sahni made history in December 2020 when he secured a copyright registration in which an AI tool was listed as a co-author. This year, other major offices, such as the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the US Copyright Office, have examined the AI authorship question because of his efforts," the magazine said.