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.
Early Collaborations and Expansion into Online Case Administration
When the WIPO AMC started working with IP Offices to promote ADR as a viable alternative to litigation, early collaborations primarily focused on capacity-building and raising awareness about mediation and arbitration for IP disputes. However, as demand for more efficient and specialized dispute resolution mechanisms grew and technology advanced, the scope of cooperation expanded.
In recent years, the WIPO AMC has significantly enhanced its support to IP Offices in many Member States by developing online tools to facilitate the administration of ADR cases. These tools include electronic filing systems that allow seamless case submission, reducing paperwork and streamlining administrative processes. Online case tracking systems enhance efficiency, enabling staff of IP Offices to record case progress in real-time. Video conferencing platforms expedite hearings, allowing for remote participation and cost-effective dispute resolution. The development and implementation of these tools are supported by the Funds-in-Trust established with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) of the Republic of Korea, which promotes ADR for copyright disputes.
Strengthening ADR Services in IP and Copyright Offices
Beyond facilitating case administration solutions, the WIPO AMC helps IP Offices establish or enhance ADR services locally. This support includes training Office staff in ADR to build internal capacity and equip professionals with the skills to handle disputes effectively. The WIPO AMC also customizes online tools to fit the specific needs of national IP Offices, ensuring that ADR systems align with local legal and administrative frameworks. Furthermore, through joint outreach activities, WIPO and IP Offices promote ADR mechanisms as a reliable alternative to litigation, reducing court congestion and facilitating faster dispute resolution.
Several IP Offices have leveraged this collaboration to start offering ADR services, while others have enhanced their existing ADR programs. These efforts have not only made dispute resolution more accessible but also fostered trust among stakeholders in the IP ecosystem.
The WIPO ADR Co-Administration Program
To organize and further strengthen these collaborations, the WIPO AMC launched the WIPO ADR Co-Administration Program. This initiative provides structured support for IP Offices to provide ADR services and administer cases effectively. The program has led to remarkable success stories in several jurisdictions.
In Mexico, a pioneering pilot project with the National Institute of Copyright (INDAUTOR) started in 2021, with more than 500 cases co-administered to 2024.
Thanks to the synergy created between INDAUTOR and WIPO, which triggered the development and enhancement of the mediation procedure through the use of information technologies, a platform co-managed by these bodies was developed. This platform facilitates the flow of information and the structuring of a procedure, making this modality an increasingly used strategy by INDAUTOR users, with more than 500 mediation requests attended to date through this means. Additionally, it is important to highlight the benefits of this mechanism, which has shown an increase in the parties' attendance at hearings, with 83.5% of the involved parties attending, compared to the traditional in-person modality where only 38% attendance is observed. Moreover, procedural economy is achieved through the use of technologies, optimizing activities, resources, and time, while avoiding the need for the parties, located in various jurisdictions in the country, to travel to Mexico City, where the only INDAUTOR offices are located. For INDAUTOR, WIPO's intervention and support have been fundamental in the development of its attributions. Now, thanks to WIPO, INDAUTOR is recognized as an entity in Mexico in the field of copyright that promotes mediation. This mechanism offers an effective and less costly option to litigation that addresses the interests of the involved parties, benefits communication, and allows disputes to be resolved in a more collaborative environment.”
Karina Luján Luján, Director General, INDAUTOR
In Colombia, the National Directorate of Copyright (DNDA) and the WIPO AMC have collaborated in the co-administration of over 700 cases, including some 1,200 case hearings, through online conciliation, demonstrating the scalability of digital ADR solutions. Other countries have integrated WIPO’s ADR tools into their national dispute resolution frameworks, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for rights holders and businesses alike. Institutions include the National Copyright Office of the Dominican Republic (ONDA), the Registry of Intellectual Property of Guatemala (RPI), the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), the Business and Intellectual Property Authority of Namibia (BIPA), the National Directorate of Intellectual Property of Paraguay (DINAPI), and the National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property of Peru (INDECOPI). The expansion of the program demonstrates the increasing recognition of ADR’s role in IP dispute resolution.
With the invaluable collaboration of the WIPO AMC, we have been able to develop and implement in DINAPI a mechanism that allows the parties to resolve IP disputes regardless of the city where they are, thanks to a state-of-the-art digital platform. In these processes, the parties are assisted by mediators who are specialists in the field who contribute to each party’s understanding of the requirements of the other, and particularly the specific scope of the IP rights at stake.”
Diego Pérez Bernal, Director General of Enforcement, DINAPI
The WIPO AMC has supported IP Offices to co-administer over 1,300 disputes and host over 2,000 case hearings. In 2024, the WIPO AMC was involved in the resolution of 559 disputes under the Co-Administration Program with IP Offices (an increase of 53% compared with 2023). The disputes were related to copyright and digital content (90%) and trademarks (10%), and included parties such as SMEs, creators, and entrepreneurs (56%), collective management organizations (31%), and large companies (9%), among others.
Future Prospects and Expansion
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital ADR solutions, highlighting their effectiveness in resolving IP disputes. As a result, more Member States recognize the value of integrating ADR services within their national IP systems.
Looking ahead, the WIPO AMC aims to expand its support to additional Member States’ IP Offices, ensuring broader access to efficient dispute resolution mechanisms. Additionally, the WIPO AMC seeks to continue enhancing digital dispute resolution tools for greater accessibility, by leveraging technological advancements to provide seamless online ADR experiences. WIPO also supports judicial systems in incorporating ADR into court proceedings, bridging the gap between traditional litigation and ADR.
What began as an exploratory collaboration has grown into a transformative initiative, enabling IP Offices to offer efficient, technology-driven ADR services. By continuing to expand its ADR solutions, the WIPO AMC reaffirms its role as a leader in IP dispute resolution, ensuring that stakeholders worldwide benefit from fair, cost-effective, and timely dispute resolution mechanisms. As more countries adopt ADR solutions, the future of IP dispute resolution is set to become more accessible, transparent, and efficient for all parties involved.