Dr Vidya Sagar, the senior partner and founder of one of India’s largest intellectual property (IP) firms Remfry and Sagar, passed away on 27 February at the age of 85 leaving behind a legacy unparalled in the field of IP laws, as first reported by IP blog Spicy IP.

Dr Sagar, who was regarded as the father of Indian IP established Remfry & Sagar in its current avatar in 1991 when the firm Remfry & Sons founded in 1872 was renamed as such. Dr Sagar had taken over practice of Remfry & Sons back in 1973 after having been inducted to the Indian Bar in 1952.

Remfry & Sagar grieved the loss of its most respected doyen member and published on its web site: “A barrister at Lincoln’s Inn and a doctor from the Free University, Berlin, Dr. Sagar earned a reputation as one of the country’s most formidable legal minds soon after admission to the Indian bar in 1952. He took over the practice of Remfry & Son in 1973 (renamed Remfry & Sagar in 1991) and with his unique talents steered the firm to become the Indian face of Intellectual Property law.

“His consuming passion for developing young talent also found expression in the Sagar School, which he nurtured so lovingly. Of sharp mind and strong will, uncompromising in his insistence on the highest standards of professional integrity and conduct, he was unfazed by difficulties. He was a visionary but a rather unassuming one as he shunned the limelight.

“For all those who had the privilege of knowing him personally, none can forget the sheer range of his experiences and the depth of his curiosity. He leaves behind a giant legacy and his loss is an irreparable one for family, friends and colleagues all over the world.”

Spicy IP wrote more about the life and work of Dr Sagar on its blog.