Settling IP and Technology Disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution

The WIPO Singapore Office (WSO) was delighted to host another outcome-focused activity under the WIPO-Government of Singapore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Regional Dialogue for Enhancing Understanding of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) attracted representatives from nine national IP Offices in the Southeast Asian region and provided a platform for the sharing of ADR experiences and exploration of how ADR may be utilized for the resolution of future IP-related disputes.

The in-person Regional Dialogue on ADR was jointly organized by WSO, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, in cooperation with the Singapore Cooperation Programme under the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was held during August 26-28, 2024.

It was jointly opened by the Director General of WIPO, Mr. Daren Tang, and IPOS Chief Executive, Mrs. Rena Lee.  They elaborated on recent IP and disputes trends in the ASEAN region while noting the instrumental role of ADR in helping parties resolve IP disputes in a time and cost-effective manner.  The Director General also expressed the hope that this meeting would also provide a great opportunity for all to explore collaboration in this important and dynamic area.

During the Regional Dialogue, representatives from all national IP Offices shared their respective approaches to the role of ADR and discussed the related best practices. Meanwhile, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center detailed how WIPO Mediation can be used in the resolution of IP disputes, with a WIPO Neutral, Joyce Tan, providing an in-depth explanation of how mediation of IP disputes works in practice. Dialogue participants also gained useful insights into the cases already settled under the ASEAN Mediation Program (AMP) – a support scheme for disputing parties in ASEAN to resolve their own disputes through the use of WIPO Mediation, as administered by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.