WIPO Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Intellectual Property Offices and Courts
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center collaborates with member states Intellectual Property Offices (IP Offices) and Courts to raise awareness of the advantages of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to prevent and resolve intellectual property and technology disputes.
Collaboration areas
Awareness raising
Raising awareness of ADR for IP disputes may include developing country-tailored information materials for interested parties, organizing joint events, and referring party inquiries received by an IP Office to the WIPO Center for further assistance.
Case administration
The WIPO Center assists IP Offices with ADR case administration, including co-administration, training of mediators and arbitrators and online case administration tools.
ADR Co-administration Program
The WIPO ADR Co-Administration Program assists Member States’ IP and Copyright Offices to provide efficient ADR services locally. The Program includes staff training on ADR, and the provision of tailored online case management and videoconferencing tools. The program is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of the Republic of Korea.
ADR options in R&D model agreements
ADR options may be considered in the context of other services offered by IP Offices, including R&D model agreements. The WIPO Center is available to assist IP Offices in the development of such model agreements.
| Albania | General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) and Magistrate School of the Republic of Albania | The WIPO Center collaborates with GDIP and the Magistrate School of the Republic of Albania in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Albania. |
| Algeria | Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INAPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Algeria. |
| National Office of Copyrights and Related Rights (ONDA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with ONDA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Algeria. | |
| Argentina | National Directorate of Author’s Right Office (DNDA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with DNDA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Argentina. |
| National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Argentina. | |
| ARIPO Member States | African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with ARIPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for IP and technology related disputes in ARIPO Member States. |
| Australia | IP Australia | The WIPO Center collaborates with IP Australia in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Australia. |
| Austria | Austrian Patent Office | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Austrian Patent Office in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Austria. |
| Belarus | National Center of Intellectual Property (NCIP) | The WIPO Center collaborates with NCIP in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Belarus. |
| Belize | Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with BELIPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for IP and technology related disputes in Belize. |
| Botswana | Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with CIPA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Botswana. |
| Brazil | Ministry of Culture of Brazil | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Culture of Brazil in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright and related rights disputes in Brazil. |
| Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI-BR) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INPI-BR in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Brazil. The WIPO Center has participated in the training of mediators in Brazil, in collaboration with INPI-BR. |
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| Bulgaria | Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria (BPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with BPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Bulgaria. |
| Canada | Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with CIPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Canada, including in the area of standard essential patents. |
| Chile | National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INAPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Chile. |
| China | National Intellectual Property Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNIPA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with CNIPA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in China. |
| Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China | The Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China has accredited the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Shanghai Service as provider of mediation and arbitration service for foreign-related IP disputes in China. | |
| Colombia | Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) | The WIPO Center collaborates with SIC in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Colombia. |
| National Directorate of Copyright (DNDA) | DNDA administers conciliation proceedings and the WIPO Center administers mediation proceedings concerning copyright and related rights in Colombia. | |
| Costa Rica | National Register of Costa Rica | The WIPO Center collaborates with the National Register in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Costa Rica. |
| Cuba | Cuban Industrial Property Office (OCPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with OCPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Cuba. |
| Czech Republic | Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPO CZ) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IPO CZ in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the Czech Republic. |
| Dominican Republic | National Copyright Office (ONDA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with ONDA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the Dominican Republic. |
| EAPO Member States | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with EAPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in EAPO Member States. |
| Ecuador | National Service of Intellectual Rights (SENADI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with SENADI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Ecuador. |
| El Salvador | National Center of Registries (CNR) | The WIPO Center collaborates with CNR in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in El Salvador. |
| France | Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in France. |
| Georgia | National Intellectual Property Center (SAKPATENTI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with SAKPATENTI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Georgia. |
| GCC Member States | Patent Office at the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-SG) | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Patent Office at the GCC-SG in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in GCC Member States. |
| Greece | Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with HCO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Greece. |
| Guatemala | Registry of Intellectual Property of Guatemala (RPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with RPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Guatemala. |
| Hungary | Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with HIPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Hungary. |
| Indonesia | Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) | The WIPO Center collaborates with DGIP in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Indonesia. |
| Ireland | Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IPOI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Ireland. |
| Israel | Israel Patent Office | The WIPO Center collaborates with Israel Patent Office in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property and technology disputes in Israel. |
| Italy | Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM) | The WIPO Center collaborates with UIBM in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Italy. |
| Kazakhstan | Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Kazakhstan. |
| Kenya | Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with KECOBO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Kenya. |
| Kyrgyzstan | State Service of Intellectual Property and Innovation under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzpatent) | The WIPO Center collaborates with Kyrgyzpatent in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Kyrgyzstan. |
| Lao People's Democratic Republic | Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Industry and Commerce | The WIPO Center collaborates with the DIP in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Lao People's Democratic Republic. |
| Lithuania | Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Lithuania. |
| Mexico | Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI Mexico) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IMPI Mexico in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Mexico. |
| National Institute of Copyright (INDAUTOR) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INDAUTOR Mexico in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Mexico. | |
| Morocco | Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) | The WIPO Center collaborates with OMPIC in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Morocco. |
| Namibia | Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with BIPA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for IP and technology disputes in Namibia. |
| New Zealand | Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IPONZ in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in New Zealand. |
| Nigeria | Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) | The WIPO Center collaborates with NCC, in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Nigeria. |
| Patents and Designs Registry | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Patents and Design Registry in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Nigeria. | |
| Trademarks Registry | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Trademarks Registry in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Nigeria. | |
| Paraguay | Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Paraguay. |
| National Directorate of Intellectual Property (DINAPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with DINAPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Paraguay. | |
| Peru | National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with INDECOPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Peru. |
| Philippines | Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) | IPOHL and the WIPO Center administer mediation proceedings concerning intellectual property rights in the Philippines. The WIPO Center has participated in the training of mediators in the Philippines, in collaboration with IPOPHL. |
| Poland | Patent Office of the Republic of Poland (PPO) | The WIPO Center has participated in the development of a mediation option for trademark opposition proceedings pending before the PPO and administers such proceedings. The WIPO Center collaborates with PPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property and technology disputes in Poland. |
| Qatar | Ministry of Commerce and Industry | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Qatar. |
| Republic of Korea | Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) | Under MCST, the Korea Copyright Commission (KCC) administers mediation proceedings concerning copyright and related rights and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) administers mediation proceedings concerning content related rights in the Republic of Korea. In case of international disputes concerning copyright and content-related rights in the Republic of Korea, MCST also offers a WIPO mediation option to potential parties. In light of the WIPO-MCST collaboration, under certain conditions, parties to WIPO mediation can benefit from a subsidy scheme for fees and costs. |
| Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) | The WIPO Center collaborates with KIPO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in the Republic of Korea. | |
| Ministry of Justice | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Justice in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the Republic of Korea. | |
| Patent Court of Korea | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Patent Court of Korea in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the Republic of Korea. | |
| Romania | Romanian Copyright Office (ORDA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with ORDA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Romania. |
| Russian Federation | Federal Service for Intellectual Property of the Russian Federation (ROSPATENT) | The WIPO Center collaborates with ROSPATENT in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the Russian Federation. |
| Saudi Arabia | Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) | The WIPO Center collaborates with SAIP in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Saudi Arabia. |
| Serbia | Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Serbia. |
| Singapore | Ministry of Communications and Information | The WIPO Center collaborates with Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) in the promotion of the use of ADR options for disputes in the area of Film and Media and Entertainment in Singapore. The WIPO Center has developed in cooperation with IMDA the WIPO Mediation and Expedited Arbitration Rules for Film and Media, which have been specifically tailored to resolve disputes in the film and media sectors, as well as the special model contract clauses and submission agreements. |
| Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) | The WIPO Center administers mediation proceedings concerning intellectual property disputes in Singapore. The WIPO Center has developed a mediation option for trademark, patent, industrial design and geographical indications proceedings and an expert determination option for patent proceedings pending before IPOS and administers such proceedings. The WIPO Center collaborates with IPOS and the Copyright Tribunal in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Singapore. From July 3 to December 31, 2023, as part of the collaboration between the Government of Singapore and WIPO, ASEAN parties can benefit from the ASEAN Mediation Programme, which offers funding for mediations administered by the WIPO Center’s Office in Singapore. |
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| Ministry of Law | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Ministry of Law in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Singapore. The Ministry of Law has designated the WIPO Center as mediation service provider in Singapore. |
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| Slovakia | Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (IPO SK) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IPO SK in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Slovakia. |
| Spain | Ministry of Culture and SportsDirectorate General of Cultural Industries, Copyright and Cooperation | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Directorate General of Cultural Industries, Copyright and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in Spain. |
| Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM) | The WIPO Center collaborates with OEPM in the promotion of the use of ADR options for industrial property disputes in Spain. The WIPO Center has also participated in the development of the OEPM model Research and Development (R&D) agreements, which recommend WIPO Mediation and WIPO Expedited Arbitration options. |
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| Switzerland | Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with IPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes. |
| Thailand | Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court (CIPITC) | The WIPO Center collaborates with CIPITC in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Thailand. |
| Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) | The WIPO Center collaborates with DIP in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Thailand. | |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Intellectual Property Office | The WIPO Center collaborates with the Intellectual Property Office of Trinidad and Tobago in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Türkiye | Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT) | The WIPO Center collaborates with TURKPATENT in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Türkiye. |
| Uganda | Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) | The WIPO Center collaborates with URSB in the promotion of the use of ADR options for IP and technology disputes in Uganda. |
| Ukraine | Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine (MEDT) | The WIPO Center collaborates with MEDT in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Ukraine. |
| United Kingdom | Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the United Kingdom | The WIPO Center collaborates with the IPO of the United Kingdom in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the United Kingdom. |
| United Republic of Tanzania | Copyright Society of Tanzania (COSOTA) | The WIPO Center collaborates with COSOTA in the promotion of the use of ADR options for copyright disputes in the United Republic of Tanzania. |
| United States of America | United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) | The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the USPTO encourages parties to consider ADR as a means of settling the issues raised in any trademark or patent proceedings. The WIPO Center is one of the listed dispute resolution services providers for TTAB and PTAB proceedings. The WIPO Center also collaborates with the USPTO in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in the United States, including in the area of standard essential patents. |
| Uruguay | National Directorate of Industrial Property (DNPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with DNPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for IP and technology disputes in Uruguay. |
| Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | Autonomous Service of Intellectual Property (SAPI) | The WIPO Center collaborates with SAPI in the promotion of the use of ADR options for intellectual property disputes in Venezuela. |
WIPO ADR Stories
Read our WIPO ADR Stories to discover examples of collaborations with Member States.
WIPO ADR Stories: Supporting IP and Copyright Offices through the WIPO ADR Co-administration Program
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO AMC) collaborates with Intellectual Property and Copyright Offices (IP Offices) worldwide to advance the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for IP and technology-related disputes. Initially focused on raising awareness and providing training, some of these partnerships have evolved to the development of online tools for case administration and dispute resolution, and the establishment of ADR services locally.
Paraguay: Mediation as a tool to combat piracy and counterfeiting of products
Counterfeiting and piracy are global threats that affect intellectual property (IP) rights holders, consumers and economies alike. In Paraguay, these illicit activities have posed a significant challenge, particularly for markets like luxury goods and pharmaceuticals. To address this problem, Paraguay’s National Intellectual Property Office, (DINAPI) has adopted an innovative approach: mediation.
WIPO Digital Tools Facilitate Access to Justice in Tanzania
In a significant step towards facilitating access to justice and efficient dispute resolution, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) has initiated a collaborative project with the Judiciary of Tanzania. Through this project, launched last August, the WIPO Center makes available at no cost WIPO online meeting platforms in mediation cases before the Judiciary of Tanzania, allowing parties and mediators to meet easily online, with greater convenience and flexibility.
To date, the WIPO Center has hosted over 20 online mediation meetings, with the parties and mediators involved providing very positive feedback. In addition to streamlining case management for the Judiciary, the online conduct of mediation meetings has had a considerable impact on the participation of the parties in the proceedings, that no longer have to travel long distances or face the challenges of network issues. By equipping the Judiciary of Tanzania with the necessary online meeting tools and support, WIPO aims to bridge distance and facilitate access to justice to all parties across the country.
How Women are Making a Difference in IP Dispute Resolution
Intellectual property (IP) is a critical component of modern economies, powering innovation and creativity. In 2023, on World Intellectual Property Day (marked every April 26), we celebrate Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity, commemorating women who continue to make significant contributions to IP, while raising awareness about the challenges faced when participating in the IP system. The field of IP benefits when women engage in innovation and creativity, providing for a diverse and inclusive ecosystem, and improving our collective capability to transition to a more sustainable future, including how IP disputes are resolved.
Alternative Dispute Resolution – A Game-Changer for Copyright and Entertainment Disputes in Africa
In Africa, disputes over intellectual property (IP) rights are a common occurrence in the entertainment industry, especially when it comes to copyright infringement and contractual disagreements between artists and production companies. However, there is now an alternative way to resolve these disputes that is gaining popularity – Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, such as mediation. This game-changing approach is being supported by Copyright Offices and sector organizations in the region, recognizing the sector’s needs.
How WIPO’s Online Tools Help the Resolution of Copyright Disputes in Mexico
In order to respond to the meeting and travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Institute of Copyright of Mexico (INDAUTOR) and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center make available online conciliation meetings to resolve copyright disputes in Mexico.
Resolving Foreign-Related IP Disputes Pending before Courts in Shanghai through WIPO Mediation
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Shanghai Service was established in October 2019 in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. It is the first foreign arbitral institution approved by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China to be engaged in arbitration and mediation of foreign-related IP dispute cases in China.
How do SMEs Benefit From Mediation to Resolve Their IP Disputes?
SMEs account for 90% of all businesses worldwide and 70% of global employment. WIPO promotes the use of mediation among SMEs to reduce the impact of disputes in innovation and creative processes.
Supporting the Creative Industries in Resolving Copyright and Content Disputes
What do disputes related to the international co-production of a film, the development of a mobile application, the rights to the design of a video game scenario, or the payment of royalties for the use of a song, all have in common? They have a negative impact on creators as well as the commercial exploitation of their IP rights. To reduce such impact, parties can refer their copyright and content disputes to mediation and arbitration. The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center actively collaborates with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (MCST) to raise awareness of and provide dispute resolution services to the creative industries in the Republic of Korea and beyond.
Contact information
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (Geneva)
34, chemin des Colombettes
1211 Geneva 20
Switzerland
T +4122 338 8247
F +4122 740 3700
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (Singapore)
Maxwell Chambers Suites
28 Maxwell Road #02-14
Singapore 069120
T +65 6225 2129
F +65 6225 3568