WIPO Launches New Tool to Facilitate Party Management of Arbitration and Mediation Cases

Geneva, July 21, 2005
Press Updates UPD/2005/257

The Arbitration and Mediation Center (Center) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a new tool, known as the WIPO Electronic Case Facility (WIPO ECAF). Parties may elect to use WIPO ECAF to manage disputes filed under the WIPO Mediation, Arbitration and Expedited Rules.

The launch of WIPO ECAF is part of the Organization's continuing efforts to help improve time and cost efficiency in intellectual property dispute resolution. Since its establishment in 1994, the WIPO Center has handled a growing number of arbitration and mediation cases. The cases frequently involve actors based in different locations, which submit documentary evidence that can reach thousands of pages.

WIPO ECAF is a user-friendly and practical web-based tool that allows parties to conduct their case through the aid of an electronic facility. Through its secure online docket function, WIPO ECAF facilitates submission of case filings and enhances access by concerned parties to that submission. As an alternative to dispatching heavy packages to multiple locations, parties may submit communications – documents of hundreds of pages, recorded witness statements, etc. – electronically into a secure online docket. This prompts the dispatch of an email alert to all other actors involved in the case. Parties may view this docket at any time from any location through the Internet. The search function of the online docket facilitates access to case documents and allows easy organization of the documents by chronology or by party.

WIPO ECAF also provides, at a glance, core case information – case summary, overview of timelines, including in particular upcoming deadlines, contact information for all parties, and the financial status of the case.

In view of the private and confidential nature of WIPO arbitration and mediation procedures, information in WIPO ECAF is firewall-protected and encrypted by using modern Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. Users are also authenticated through username, password and a changing passcode.

A brief WIPO ECAF user manual including sample views is available at https://www.wipo.int/amc/en/ecaf/help.

Background

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center was established in 1994 to offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options including arbitration and mediation services for the resolution of international commercial disputes between private parties. Developed by leading experts in cross-border dispute settlement, the arbitration and mediation procedures offered by the WIPO Center are widely recognized as particularly appropriate for technology, entertainment and other disputes involving intellectual property.

The subject matter of the arbitration and mediation cases administered by the WIPO Center includes both contractual disputes (e.g. patent and software licenses, trademark coexistence agreements, distribution agreements for pharmaceutical products and research and development agreements) and non-contractual disputes (e.g. patent infringement).

The WIPO Center has also focused significant resources on establishing an operational and legal framework for the administration of disputes relating to the Internet and electronic commerce. For example, today the WIPO Center is recognized as the leading dispute resolution service provider for disputes arising out of the abusive registration and use of Internet domain names.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO:

• Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or (+41 22) 338 95 47;
• E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int;
• Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10.