WIPO and Singapore unite to boost tech IP mediation
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is collaborating with the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) to promote the use of mediation in the IP and technology sector.
Announced yesterday, October 26, the partnership will see WIPO’s Arbitration and Mediation Center work with SIMC on case administration, and raising awareness and education of mediation.
The WIPO Center has administered more than 740 mediation, arbitration and expert determination cases, mostly filed in recent years. To date, SIMC has administered approximately 130 mediations and is seeing growing interest in the mediation of IP and technology-related disputes.
Ignacio de Castro, director of IP disputes and external relations division at the WIPO Center, said WIPO was delighted to conclude the strategic collaboration with SIMC.
“We believe that this partnership will enable us to further contribute to the promotion of mediation for cross-border IP and technology disputes. We look forward to working with SIMC to support companies and innovators settle their disputes through more time and cost-effective alternatives to court litigation,” said de Castro.
At least 70% of the disputes at the WIPO Center and SIMC have seen successful settlement, according to the announcement. So far in 2020, parties in WIPO mediations have achieved an 85.7% settlement rate.
Chuan Wee Meng, CEO of SIMC, said: “Around the world, the impact of the pandemic may affect the capacity of the courts and other adjudicative bodies. Mediation provides an alternative in suitable cases, for parties to obtain resolution swiftly in a way that other dispute resolution mechanisms cannot.”
In recent years, Singapore has pushed to cement its standing as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) hub.
Last August, members of the United Nations signed the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which created a global framework that will increase the enforceability of settlement agreements that arise out of mediation.
That same month, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) partnered with WIPO to offer reduced rates to businesses and creators that opt for mediation as an ADR to resolve copyright disputes in Singapore.
As part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its position as the region’s ADR hub, IPOS also appointed two professionals to its panel of IP adjudicators earlier this year.
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