Time- and Cost-Efficient Alternative Dispute Resolution Services for PCT Users
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center's alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services are regularly used by multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), research and development (R&D) centers, universities and inventors from around the world which are also users of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
A 25% reduction on the WIPO Center’s administration fees applies if a party (or both parties) to the dispute is (are) named as applicant or inventor in a published PCT application.
WIPO patent-related cases
International and domestic patent transactions involve a rich variety of contracts and transactions, involving complex legal, commercial or management issues, often including related intellectual property (IP) rights. Also, research partners from different institutional backgrounds may have diverging expectations and understandings of creating, using and exploiting IP rights.
Efficient dispute avoidance and cost-effective ADR options help parties to find solutions without the need for court litigation. Patent-related disputes now account for some 30% of WIPO arbitration and mediation cases.
The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center
With offices in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Singapore, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is a neutral, international and non-profit dispute resolution provider specializing in IP and technology related commercial disputes.
The WIPO Center actively helps the parties to submit disputes to WIPO ADR procedures; assists in the selection of a specialized mediator, arbitrator(s) or expert from the WIPO Center’s database or otherwise, and the setting of the neutral’s fees; and manages case communications and finances.
The WIPO Center can also assist with support services, including arranging for meeting and hearing rooms, wherever the parties have decided to situate their case. Throughout, the WIPO Center liaises with parties and neutrals to ensure optimal procedural efficiency.
Settlement rates
WIPO ADR procedures are organized to stimulate positive opportunities for settlement. 70% of the mediations administered by the WIPO Center have resulted in settlement by the parties. Even in arbitration, some 40% of WIPO cases are settled by the parties prior to a formal award.
Unilateral request for mediation option
The WIPO Center is regularly contacted in relation to disputes where one party wishes to submit a dispute to mediation, but no mediation agreement exists between the parties, for example in patent infringement disputes or in cases pending before the courts. Since 2016, under the WIPO Mediation Rules a party may submit a unilateral Request for Mediation to the WIPO Center. The WIPO Center may then assist the parties or, upon request, may appoint an external neutral to provide the required assistance.
Resources
Contact
| Arbitration and Mediation Center Geneva | Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore |
|---|---|
| 34, chemin des Colombettes P.O Box 18 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland T +41 338 8247 or 0800 888 549 F +4122 740 3700 or 0800 888 550 |
32, Maxwell Road #02-02 Singapore 069115 T +65 6225 2129 F +65 6225 3568 |
General queries: arbiter.mail@wipo.int