WIPO Mediation for Proceedings Instituted in the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)

A framework for collaboration between the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and WIPO has been established upon the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 28, 2011. Under the MOU, IPOS and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) established a joint dispute resolution procedure to facilitate the mediation of intellectual property disputes pending before IPOS.

Disputes Pending before IPOS

Disputes in this area may be related to trademark, patent, industrial design and geographical indications proceedings pending before IPOS. IPOS offers a voluntary mediation option to parties to resolve these disputes through mediation under the WIPO Mediation Rules.

The WIPO Mediation option offered by IPOS may be especially advantageous for international parties seeking to settle related disputes in multiple jurisdictions.

The WIPO Mediation option is available through the entire dispute resolution process before IPOS. More information on IPOS proceedings may be obtained here.

Areas of Mediation

• Trademark
• Patent
• Industrial design
• Geographical indications

WIPO Mediation Services for IPOS

• Administration of Disputes Pending before IPOS

A WIPO Mediation commences with the submission to the WIPO Center in Singapore of a Request for WIPO Mediation. Such Request could also be communicated through IPOS when the parties return to IPOS their Notification to Registrar Form if they so wish.

The WIPO Center will then contact the parties regarding the next steps of the procedure, the fees and the appointment of the mediator. The parties are free to identify themselves a suitable candidate for such appointment. The WIPO Center is available to assist with the provision of a shortlist of qualified mediator candidates.

In its role as administering institution, the WIPO Center maintains strict neutrality and independence.

Examples of WIPO mediations for proceedings instituted in IPOS.

• WIPO Panel of Neutrals for Disputes Pending before IPOS

Effective proceedings to a large extent depend on the quality of the mediator, arbitrator or expert. The WIPO Center maintains an open-ended Panel, including mediators, arbitrators and experts from Singapore with expertise in intellectual property rights, such as trademarks, patents, industrial designs and geographical indications. They can be appointed in WIPO mediations by parties to disputes pending before IPOS but parties are also free to select mediators, arbitrators or experts from outside the WIPO Panel.

Fees and Costs

The WIPO Center believes that mediation should be cost effective. In consultation with parties and mediators, the WIPO Center ensures that fees charged in a WIPO mediation in IPOS proceedings are appropriate given the circumstances of the dispute.

(All amounts are in Singapore dollars)

WIPO Center's Administration Fee	Mediator's Fees
SGD 50 per party	SGD 500 per party (includes 4 hours of preparation and mediation) Additional hours SGD 200 per hour per party (*)

(*) Based on the WIPO Center’s experience, an average WIPO trade mark mediation involves up
to 15 hours.

The mediator’s fees and other costs can be funded by IPOS Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme, which funds parties’ mediation costs up to SGD 10,000 when Singapore intellectual property rights are involved, and up to SGD 14,000 where foreign intellectual property rights are added to the subject-matter of mediation. Further information can be found here.

Payment Information Details

Payments to the WIPO Center shall be made by the following means only:

1. Payments by check or in cash will not be accepted. Checks will be returned to the sender.
2. All bank charges, transfer fees or other amounts that may be levied in connection with a payment made to the Center shall be the responsibility of the party making the payment.

Website: www.wipo.int/amc/