Priya Rao is the Founder and Principal Counsel of Priya Rao & Associates and a seasoned intellectual property and technology law practitioner with over 28 years of experience. Over the course of her career, she has advised and represented numerous Fortune 500 companies and multinational corporations in India and internationally on a broad spectrum of legal and intellectual property matters.
Having commenced her legal practice in 1998 under the guidance of a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, Priya has developed extensive expertise across diverse areas of law, including Intellectual Property, Information Technology, Company Law, Taxation, Anti-Dumping, Arbitration, Family Law, and Constitutional matters. Since 1999, her primary focus has been Intellectual Property Rights, where she has built a distinguished practice encompassing trademarks, copyrights, designs, geographical indications, and related enforcement strategies.
Priya advises clients on all aspects of IP protection, prosecution, enforcement, portfolio management, and commercialization. She has significant experience in developing and implementing global brand protection strategies, managing large trademark portfolios, conducting IP due diligence, advising on acquisitions, technology transfers, licensing arrangements, and IP valuation matters.
A recognized authority in anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy enforcement, Priya has successfully led numerous civil and criminal enforcement actions, including investigations and raids, on behalf of clients across sectors such as electronics, automotive, FMCG, software, luxury goods, apparel, food and beverages, publishing, and consumer products.
Her practice also extends to emerging areas of law, including e-commerce, cybercrime, data protection, and digital enforcement. She regularly appears before the Trade Marks Registry, Intellectual Property Offices, District Courts, various High Courts, and the Supreme Court of India in connection with contentious and non-contentious IP and technology matters.
Priya currently serves as a member of the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee of the International Trademark Association (INTA) for the 2024–2026 term, reflecting her continued commitment to advancing brand protection and intellectual property enforcement initiatives at both national and international levels.
Achievements and Honours
1. Priya Rao was recognized by the World IP Forum (WIPF) in their Powerful Women in IP India list-2021.
2. Priya Rao ranked as a Top 250 Women in IP by Managing Intellectual Property-2020.
3. Priya Rao recognized by ALB as India's Top TMT/Fintech Lawyer.
4. Priya Rao was recognized as a Trademark Star by MIP IP Stars for India-2021.
5. Priya Rao was awarded the Woman of Excellence Award 2021 in Recognition of Outstanding Professional Achievement & Contribution in Nation Building.
6. Priya Rao was recognized among the Top 10 Women Contributors in IP by Assocham IP Excellence Awards 2021.
7. Priya Rao is recognized as an IP Expert (Trademarks, Enforcement and IP Litigation) by Asia IP.
8. Priya Rao ranked among the Top 10 Women in IP Copyright & Trademark 2022.
9. Priya Rao featured on The Enterprise World as The Most Influential Woman To Watch Out For - 2022.
10. Legal Media 360, Market sentiment Index, ranks Priya Rao as a Notable Practitioner among Asia’s leading law firms and lawyers.- 2022.
11. Priya Rao has been recognized for the 6th year running as a Trademark Star in the exclusive list of IP Stars 2023 by Managing IP.
12. Priya Rao has been recognized in the exclusive list of IP Stars for the sixth year running as a Trademark Star 2023.
13. Priya Rao was recognized Distinguished Practitioner in the Asialaw Leading Lawyers Ratings 2022-2023, 2023-24, 2024-2025 and 2025.
14. Priya Rao is recognized as a Leading Trademark Professional in the categories of Enforcement and
Litigation, and Prosecution and Litigation.-2024
15. Priya Rao has been ranked among IP Experts by Asia IP in the category Trademarks, Enforcement and IP Litigation -2024
16. Priya Rao has been recognized among Fearless Business Leaders in India, by EliteX-2024.
17. Priya Rao has been recognized among the Top 5 Influential Leaders in the Legal World by The Business Frame.
18. Priya Rao is recognized as the Silver- Recommended Individual - WTR 1000 -2025.
19. Priya Rao has been ranked as Recommended Individual by WTR1000 (The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals) - 2026.
