EUIPO opened a new Mediation Centre for IP disputes on 22 November. It will provide alternative dispute (ADR) resolution services including mediation, conciliation and expert determination for EUTM and RCD disputes.

The services are available at no cost to all parties involved in inter partes proceedings before the EUIPO at second instance (i.e. Boards of Appeal) if held online or in Alicante.

The services are also available to SMEs in first instance proceedings (oppositions, cancellations, and invalidations) for free. This service will be rolled out to all users during the next two years.

There is a €750 fee to hold meetings at the EUIPO office in Brussels.

The ADR services will be delivered by trained mediators and case managers and they will be available in various languages.

An online ADR platform enables mediators and parties to interact virtually in a secure and confidential environment.

The Mediation Centre was envisaged in the EUTM legislative reform of 2017. Its launch follows the recent IP Mediation Conference organised by the Boards of Appeal in October, in which several MARQUES representatives took part.

EUIPO Executive Director João Negrão (pictured) said in a statement: “The establishment of Mediation Centre is a major step in supporting citizens and businesses in managing their intellectual property rights effectively and helping avoid expensive, unpredictable litigation processes when disputes arise. With 42% of EU trade mark applications coming from non-EU companies, cross-border disputes have become more and more common, highlighting the need for global and cost-effective dispute resolution services.”

More information is available on the dedicated Mediation Centre page on EUIPO’s website. This includes flowcharts showing how ADR works and a list of 10 reasons to try mediation.

Photo from EUIPO news page