About Intellectual Property IP Training IP Outreach IP for… IP and... IP in... Patent & Technology Information Trademark Information Industrial Design Information Geographical Indication Information Plant Variety Information (UPOV) IP Laws, Treaties & Judgements IP Resources IP Reports Patent Protection Trademark Protection Industrial Design Protection Geographical Indication Protection Plant Variety Protection (UPOV) IP Dispute Resolution IP Office Business Solutions Paying for IP Services Negotiation & Decision-Making Development Cooperation Innovation Support Public-Private Partnerships The Organization Working with WIPO Accountability Patents Trademarks Industrial Designs Geographical Indications Copyright Trade Secrets WIPO Academy Workshops & Seminars World IP Day WIPO Magazine Raising Awareness Case Studies & Success Stories IP News WIPO Awards Business Universities Indigenous Peoples Judiciaries Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions Economics Gender Equality Global Health Climate Change Competition Policy Sustainable Development Goals Enforcement Frontier Technologies Mobile Applications Sports Tourism PATENTSCOPE Patent Analytics International Patent Classification ARDI – Research for Innovation ASPI – Specialized Patent Information Global Brand Database Madrid Monitor Article 6ter Express Database Nice Classification Vienna Classification Global Design Database International Designs Bulletin Hague Express Database Locarno Classification Lisbon Express Database Global Brand Database for GIs PLUTO Plant Variety Database GENIE Database WIPO-Administered Treaties WIPO Lex - IP Laws, Treaties & Judgments WIPO Standards IP Statistics WIPO Pearl (Terminology) WIPO Publications Country IP Profiles WIPO Knowledge Center WIPO Technology Trends Global Innovation Index World Intellectual Property Report PCT – The International Patent System ePCT Budapest – The International Microorganism Deposit System Madrid – The International Trademark System eMadrid Article 6ter (armorial bearings, flags, state emblems) Hague – The International Design System eHague Lisbon – The International System of Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications eLisbon UPOV PRISMA Mediation Arbitration Expert Determination Domain Name Disputes Centralized Access to Search and Examination (CASE) Digital Access Service (DAS) WIPO Pay Current Account at WIPO WIPO Assemblies Standing Committees Calendar of Meetings WIPO Official Documents Development Agenda Technical Assistance IP Training Institutions COVID-19 Support National IP Strategies Policy & Legislative Advice Cooperation Hub Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) Technology Transfer Inventor Assistance Program WIPO GREEN WIPO's Pat-INFORMED Accessible Books Consortium WIPO for Creators WIPO ALERT Member States Observers Director General Activities by Unit External Offices Job Vacancies Procurement Results & Budget Financial Reporting Oversight

Visit by Intellectual Property Lawyers from Zhejiang, China

April 24, 2023

Ahead of World IP Day, the WIPO Singapore Office (WSO) had the pleasure of hosting a visit by IP practitioners from the Lawyers' Association in Zhejiang Province and Zhejiang University Guanghua Law School. The visit served to highlight WIPO’s impact in the region and its role in arbitration and mediation of IP disputes.

wso-2023-news0007-845-1

This visit was part of a larger study trip to other legal and international organisations, co-organised by the Lawyers' Association in Zhejiang Province and Zhejiang University Guanghua Law School. The group comprised lawyers and firms who handle international IP work and are keen on dispute resolution. 

wso-2023-news0007-845-2

The participants had the opportunity to learn about WSO’s role in the ASEAN region through the WSO Director, Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan.  Her presentation focused on how the WSO seeks to engage key stakeholder groups (such as SMEs, Women and Youth) to increase IP awareness and application so as to make innovation accessible to everyone, everywhere.

The visiting lawyers were also eager to know more about WIPO’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services through the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Singapore. Following a sharing by Ms. Margarita Kato, Legal Case Manager, IP Disputes Section, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, they discussed the prevalence of cases arbitrated or mediated by WIPO globally and in China.

wso-2023-news0007-845-3

Questions posed by the visitors revolved around whether the final decisions were effectively upheld or exercised by the courts – in reality, cases are actually referred by the courts to WIPO for resolution; the timelines and parties involved in the dispute resolution process; and how one could join the WIPO’s pool of arbitrators/mediators and if non-lawyers were welcome.

The session was a cheery one with practical and impactful exchanges of ideas. Indeed, WIPO will always be glad to host, support, and share knowledge with IP-related professionals to further strengthen the innovation ecosystems, especially as IP disputes can become a significant hindrance to social and economic development.