Dr. Vidya Sagar founder of Remfry & Sagar, the oldest and the most established Intellectual Property (IP) law firm in the country passed away on February 27, 2011. His birthplace was Lyallpur, now Pakistan. He spent distinguished and commendable 85 years making his mark and breaking paths in the field of IP law (December 20, 1925).
Dr. Vidya Sagar (pictured) founder of Remfry & Sagar, the oldest and the most established Intellectual Property (IP) law firm in the country passed away on February 27, 2011. His birthplace was Lyallpur, now Pakistan. He spent distinguished and commendable 85 years (December 20, 1925) making his mark and breaking paths in the field of IP law.
Jyoti Sagar, Founder Partner of J. Sagar & Associates in an exclusive interview with Bar & Bench talked about starting his journey in law with Dr. Vidya Sagar and quoted him being one of his mentor’s, “My uncle, Dr. Vidya Sagar is one of them. I had the opportunity of working with him for over 19 years. Three years as an apprentice (I studied law in the evening classes and worked in the day in Dr. Sagar’s office) and sixteen years as a lawyer. Articulation and writing skills and art of handling clients is what I learnt from him”.
Jyoti Sagar also quoted Dr. Vidya Sagar as his inspiration and said, “In some sense I always knew I wanted to be in an advisory position and not a managerial position. One of the inspirations was of course my uncle, Dr. Vidya Sagar, who is a lawyer”.
Dr. Vidya Sagar was quoted as the father of IP in India and took the reins of the 1827 founded law firm Remfry & Sagar, in 1973.
Remfry & Sagar on their website have left a message stating, “With deep sorrow, we inform you that Dr. Vidya Sagar, Senior Partner at Remfry & Sagar, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2011. He was 85. 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, strong will and unmatched vigour, 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”.
Quoting Spicy IP, “Most of the leading IP professionals today were trained by Dr. Sagar during their stint at Remfry & Sagar. The IP community in India (as also globally) owes a lot to this visionary leader. We hope that his spirit will continue to guide us as we aim to improve on the foundation that he constructed so well”.
(picture source: Remfry & Sagar)