Updated WIPO Rules | ADR for SMEs
 
WIPO|ADR
WIPO ADR Highlights
JULY 13, 2021
 
 
WIPO ADR Rules: 2021 Update
Effective July 1, the updated WIPO Mediation, Arbitration and Expert Determination Rules provide further guidance on the online conduct of WIPO ADR proceedings. This concerns both the electronic filing of new WIPO ADR cases, as well as the electronic submission of any case communication. Since early 2020, WIPO case parties have relied almost exclusively on virtual meetings and hearings, including an increase in their use of the WIPO eADR online case management platform.

The updated WIPO Rules further introduce certain disclosure requirements concerning the identity of third-party funders, at an early stage of the proceedings.

From January through June 2021, the Center received 77 mediation and arbitration cases, the highest number of such cases received in a six-month period.
 
New Initiative to Support the Use of WIPO ADR by SMEs

The WIPO Center announced a discount on its mediation and arbitration services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from July 1, in a new initiative to support these enterprises that represent the majority of business worldwide.

WIPO Director General Daren Tang said that "SMEs are the backbone of many economies and key to our economic recovery. This initiative is part of our larger efforts to help SMEs use IP to grow their businesses, by helping them save on business costs when they need to resolve IP-related disputes.”
WIPO Mediation and Arbitration Advisory Committee Presented

The WIPO Center has introduced a WIPO Mediation and Arbitration Advisory Committee. As an informal consultative body composed of WIPO mediators and arbitrators, the advisory committee is available to support the Center in WIPO Mediation and Arbitration policy-related matters.

Committee members are appointed for a three-year term, and include professionals with a range of IP/technology and ADR expertise gained in global and boutique practices around the world.
Online WIPO Mediation and Arbitration Workshop in Spanish

The WIPO Center organized an Online Workshop on WIPO Mediation and Arbitration in Spanish, June 1-3. Guided by WIPO mediators and arbitrators, industry professionals, and WIPO Center lawyers, the program attracted over 3,000 registrants from some 40 countries. The Workshop was supported by several Member States IP Offices and industry associations from countries in Latin America and Spain.

Available webinar recordings and presentations, as well as the list of upcoming events, can be accessed on the WIPO Center's website.
Domain Name Events

The WIPO Center hosted a virtual event on June 17 presenting the main features of the .AU (Australia) proceedings as compared to the UDRP, and the benefits of filing a .AU domain name case with WIPO in comparison to court litigation.
 
The WIPO Center participated in the INTA session "Domain Name Enforcement: Present and Future" on April 22, where the panelists discussed developments in domain-name enforcement as well as online trademark abuse generally, including in the context of Covid-19.

These events took place against the backdrop of record WIPO domain name case filing. With 448 cases, June 2021 has been the busiest filing month since WIPO commenced this service over 20 years ago.
 
Updated WIPO FRAND Guidance

The WIPO Center has released an updated Guidance on WIPO FRAND Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The Guidance aims to help parties and neutrals better understand the tailored procedural options available for submitting FRAND disputes to WIPO ADR. The Guidance also provides information on how to submit a unilateral request for WIPO FRAND Mediation, as well as WIPO Model FRAND ADR Submission agreements for mediation, arbitration and expert determination.
 
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