Judicial–Industry Dialogue on Standard Essential Patents

0001On 12th April, 2026, the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition at National Law University Delhi, in collaboration with LES India and the LES Patent and Technology Licensing Committee, organised a one day conference titled “Judicial Industry Dialogue on Standard Essential Patents”. The conference featured more than 15 distinguished speakers across three panel discussions and brought together industry representatives, legal practitioners, and members of the judiciary from multiple jurisdictions.

0002The conference was conducted in a hybrid format, with participants attending both in person and virtually across different time zones. The discussions addressed important questions relating to regulation, licensing, enforcement, and judicial approaches concerning Standard Essential Patents.

Chief Guest

0003The conference was honoured by the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice C. Hari Shankar, Delhi High Court, as the Chief Guest. His address energised the room and set the tone for the discussions that followed.

Session 1: Panel Discussion on Regulators’ Perspective and Expert Opinions

0004The first session focused on the question of who shapes innovation today through law, policy, or markets. It examined the changing regulatory perspectives surrounding Standard Essential Patents and the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring fair competition.

0005The session was chaired by Dr. Ashish Bharadwaj, Former Dean, BITS Law School. The panel comprised Mr. C.S. Vaidyanathan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Mr. Abhinav Mukerji, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Ms. Payal Malik, Visiting Professor, DESI, ICRIER, and Mr. Ashutosh Kumar, Senior Partner, Singh and Singh LLP.

0006The panel discussed the regulatory landscape surrounding Standard Essential Patents and examined the intersection of legal frameworks, market dynamics, and technological advancement. The discussion also considered how the balance between encouraging innovation and maintaining fair competition is being redefined.

Session 2: Panel Discussion on Interim Reliefs, Licensing Models and Evolving Jurisprudence

0007The second session examined the question of where the law draws the line when innovation meets enforcement. The discussion focused on interim reliefs, licensing models, and evolving jurisprudence relating to Standard Essential Patents.

0008The session was chaired by Mr. Eashan Ghosh, IPR Chair Professor, National Law University Delhi. The panel included Ms. Shraddha Singh Chauhan, Partner, Anand and Anand, Mr. John Sideris, Principal Licensing Counsel, Philips, who participated virtually, Ms. Helene Jay, Vice President, Global Licensing Programs, Via Licensing Alliance, who participated virtually, Ms. Uta Schneider, Vice President, Global Government Affairs, CANC1, who participated virtually, and Ms. Saya Choudhary, Senior Partner, Singh and Singh LLP.

0009The panel examined the changing landscape of SEP litigation and discussed how courts are playing an active role in shaping the SEP ecosystem. Particular attention was given to FRAND aligned remedies and structured licensing approaches. The discussion considered how legal frameworks can protect incentives for innovation while also ensuring market access.

Session 3: Panel Discussion on Judges’ Conversation, Technology Disputes and the Judiciary’s Evolving Role

0010The third session brought a comparative and cross border perspective to SEP litigation. It examined how courts deal with disputes that extend across different jurisdictions.

0011The session was chaired by Ms. Saya Choudhary, Senior Partner, Singh and Singh LLP. The panel featured Dr. Hubertus Schacht, Presiding Judge, Regional Court of Munich I, Germany, who participated virtually, Mr. James Boon, Partner, Bristows LLP, United Kingdom, who participated virtually, and Mr. Chander Lall, Senior Advocate, India.

0012The participation of speakers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom provided a global perspective on complex patent disputes. The discussion covered parallel proceedings, anti suit injunctions, and differing judicial approaches across jurisdictions. It highlighted the challenges courts face when SEP disputes extend beyond national boundaries and require consideration of both domestic priorities and wider global implications.

Conclusion

0013The conference brought together different perspectives on the changing SEP landscape. The three sessions addressed regulation and competition, interim reliefs and licensing, and cross border judicial approaches, providing a broad discussion of the legal and practical issues surrounding Standard Essential Patents.

0014The participation of experts from the legal, industry, and judicial fields, along with the hybrid format, enabled an exchange of perspectives across jurisdictions and contributed to a meaningful dialogue on the future of SEP regulation and adjudication.