The Supreme Court today (December 18, 2019) extended the service of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) Chairman for another year. The term of Justice Manomohan Singh, a retired Delhi High Court Judge,expired on September 21, 2019 while the Government is yet to make fresh appointments.

The Apex Court asked the Attorney General, Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Government by the first week of February, 2020 on whether the Principal Bench of the IPAB can be relocated or a new bench can be set up at a place like Nagpur or Bhopal or any other such place which is well connected so that the vacancy can be filled up easily.

The Chairman was appointed in 2018 as per the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities (Qualifications, Experience and other Conditions of Service of Members) Rules, 2017. These rules have been notified under the Finance Act, 2017.