New Mediation Scheme For IP Dispute Resolution
21 March 2016
Effective April 1, 2016, businesses and entrepreneurs will enjoy greater access to IP mediation services in Singapore through the IP Mediation Promotion Scheme introduced by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore.
Designed to help businesses and entrepreneurs leverage the strengths of mediation in achieving customised, win-win solutions, the IP Mediation Promotion Scheme funds parties who opt for mediation in IP disputes up to SG$5,500 per mediation case. It is expected that close to 30 IP disputes will benefit from this scheme over the next three years.
Nearly 100% of businesses and lawyers had reported high levels of satisfaction resulting from mediation. The achievement of favourable outcomes, time savings and cost savings were cited as the benefits of mediation in a State Courts survey (2013-2014).
Appointment of five IP legal experts as IP Adjudicators
The IP Mediation Promotion Scheme is the latest addition to IPOS’ suite of offerings for businesses and entrepreneurs. It includes the appointment of a panel of IP Adjudicators to give disputing parties the opportunity to have their cases heard by some of the best legal minds in the local IP field. Five established IP academics and legal professionals will serve as IPOS’ IP Adjudicators from April 1, 2016, for a two-year term.
Ms. Chiam Lu Lin, Deputy Chief Executive of IPOS, said, “Mediation empowers businesses to take a cooperative, consensus-led approach towards resolving IP disputes. Enabling the constructive resolution of IP issues through such initiatives is part of IPOS’ ongoing mission to foster a pro-innovation environment for all creators. We hope that many will consider and make use of this scheme to achieve favourable outcomes in cases of IP disputes.”
Professor David Llewelyn, Deputy Dean of the Singapore Management University, an expert in IP law and commercialisation with more than 30 years of experience in practice, writing and teaching, said, “The appointment of IP Adjudicators demonstrates the ongoing commitment of IPOS to expanding the range of dispute resolution options available in the IP field. It will help bolster the growing reputation of Singapore's IP legal industry.”
