As part of its Tailored WIPO ADR Services, the WIPO Center provides dispute resolution advice and case administration services to help parties resolve disputes arising in the area of information and communication technology (ICT), without the need for court litigation.
More than thirty per cent (30%) of arbitration and mediation cases filed with the WIPO Center relate to ICT. ICT is a commercial sector with close links to intellectual property. ICT disputes are multi-faceted and can have adverse effects on technology development, investment and consumer interests. Therefore it is important that they be managed and resolved in a cost- and time-efficient manner. A considered choice on dispute resolution can benefit parties involved in contractual, non-contractual or standards-related ICT disputes.
The WIPO Mediation, (Expedited) Arbitration and Expert Determination Rules are well suited for ICT disputes.
The WIPO Rules are flexible and can also be applied in disputes that are not limited to intellectual property. In its role as administering institution, the WIPO Center maintains strict neutrality and independence.
More than thirty percent (30%) of the mediation and arbitration cases administered by the WIPO Center are in the area of ICT.
Examples of WIPO mediations in this area include:
- WIPO Mediation of an IT/Telecom Dispute
- WIPO Mediation of a Telecom Patent License Dispute
Examples of WIPO arbitrations in this area include:
- WIPO Arbitration of a Telecom Infrastructure Dispute
- WIPO Arbitration of an IT/Telecom Dispute
Podcast WIPOD – Arbitration and Mediation Matters:
- How to Resolve IT and Software Disputes with Arbitration and Mediation
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 around the world with expertise in ICT. They can be appointed by parties in cases under WIPO Rules but parties are also free to select mediators, arbitrators or experts from outside the WIPO Panel.
The WIPO Center makes available recommended contract clauses and submission agreements that parties can use to submit their disputes to ADR.
Upon request, the WIPO Center provides procedural guidance to interested parties and organizations in the ICT sector. This includes advice on the drafting and adaptation of ADR clauses in ICT related contracts and submission agreements, as well as helping to bring opposing parties to ADR.
The WIPO Center also organizes training and workshops on mediation, arbitration and related topics.
Where appropriate in light of the needs of the relevant stakeholders, the WIPO Center provides guidance in the establishment of adapted ADR frameworks, including Rules, fees and clauses, and provides administrative services thereunder.
The WIPO Center makes available tailored WIPO model submission agreements that parties may use to refer a FRAND dispute to WIPO (Expedited) Arbitration.
To optimize tailor-made dispute resolution in the ICT sector, the WIPO Center collaborates with relevant stakeholders and organizations. This includes organization of joint events and training, and establishment of adapted ADR frameworks, and involves for example the following:
The WIPO Center is available to collaborate with other interested stakeholders.
In the ICT sector, the WIPO Center collaborates in particular with the WIPO Copyright Law Division, and the Patents and Innovation Division.
| WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Geneva |
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore |
|---|---|
| Chemin des Colombettes 34 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland T +4122 338 8247 or 0800 888 549 F +4122 740 3700 or 0800 888 550 |
Maxwell Chambers 28 Maxwell Road #02-14 Singapore 069120 T +65 6225 2129 F +65 6225 3568 |
General queries: arbiter.mail@wipo.int