ASEAN businesses get subsidised mediation to resolve IP or technology disputes

28 July 2023

On 3 July 2023, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (“IPOS”) announced on its website www.ipos.gov.sg that businesses in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (“ASEAN”) can now benefit from subsidised mediation to resolve their intellectual property (“IP”) or technology disputes under the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”)-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Programme (“AMP”).

Essentially, individuals or entities with IP or technology disputes, or who need mediation support in concluding an IP or technology agreement, can get funding of up to S$8,000 for each mediation case, with the funding shared equally between parties unless otherwise agreed. The pilot for AMP will end on 31 December 2023 or when the budget is completely drawn down, whichever is earlier.

Supported by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, the AMP is an initiative by the WIPO Singapore Office and IPOS under the WIPO-Singapore Government Memorandum of Understanding.IPOS has issued a factsheet about the AMP which sets out the following conditions:

• Parties may apply for funding from 3 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 (or until the AMP fund is drawn down, whichever is earlier). Parties may not claim both under the AMP and under the Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme for costs in relation to the same or substantially the same dispute.
• At least one party must be an ASEAN national or entity.
• The mediator must be based in Singapore.
• Parties consent to named publicity (excluding details of settlement terms).
• A shadow mediator appointed by IPOS from the Young IP Mediator initiative will observe the mediation.
• Parties must give feedback on the mediation experience.

The factsheet also includes a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.