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IPOPHL’s mediation initiatives highlighted at IP Key Southeast Asian Conference
20 November 2024
A number of initiatives by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to support and use mediation to settle intellectual property disputes have become best practices that other Southeast Asian and international jurisdictions may find useful.
Deputy director general Nathaniel S. Arevalo gave the opening remarks for the two-day IP Key Southeast Asia IP Mediation Conference last week. He outlined the BLA’s programs and goals, including requiring mediation and permitting online mediation. He also mentioned the recent success of the BLA’s Mediation Outside Litigation (MOL) program. Six IP issues between San Miguel Food and Beverage (SMFB) were settled through the MOL, which aims to settle IP disputes before they become formal court cases or IPOPHL filings.
“Our BLA continuously ensures we have systems and practices in place for an effective mediation process that can mend relationships, establish trust and, ultimately, turn disputes into potential opportunities,” Arevalo said.
The European Union’s Delegation to the Philippines has a variety of creative approaches to IP mediation, including subsidized mediation programs, cross-border mediation frameworks that handle IP issues throughout Southeast Asia, and preemptive mediation for potential IP conflicts, according to Philipp Dupuis, minister counsellor and head of Trade and Economic Affairs.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity once again for an exchange of best practices and the sharing of more in-depth insights between the Southeast Asian countries and the new EUIPO boards of appeal,” Dupuis said.
Delegates had the opportunity to discuss their mediation practices, experiences, and initiatives to advance mediation in their nations throughout the conference. Assuring impartiality, equipping mediators with the technical and practical know-how required to promote parties' collaboration, and obtaining resources to handle an increase in cases were among the difficulties that representatives also considered.
The necessity of infrastructure that can manage changing IP dispute demands was underlined in the discussions. To manage future conflicts effectively, IPOPHL is actively seeking to increase the number of certified mediators on its roster who possess knowledge of cutting-edge technology.
- Excel V. Dyquiangco
