Visit by Intellectual Property Lawyers from Zhejiang, China

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.

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. 

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.

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.