The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) will officially be opening a Singapore Office of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) in January 2010. The WIPO Center is the first outside of Geneva and will be located at Maxwell Chambers in Singapore's International Dispute Resolution Center.
The aim of the WIPO Center in Singapore is to resolve IP disputes in a timely and more cost effective manner through arbitration and mediation in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to being an avenue for resolving disputes, the WIPO Center will also provide training and advice on procedures. Comprising a panel of legal specialists, the Center will hear IP-related disputes under the WIPO Rules in Singapore.
The Singapore Government and WIPO have been working closely to promote arbitration and mediation to resolve IP disputes between parties. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) would be beneficial to those who intend to keep their disputes private because of trade secrets or confidential information. There are further plans to establish an International WIPO Mediation and Arbitration Scheme for Film Related Disputes. This will be developed jointly with the Media Development Authority of Singapore. The setting up of the Center here is seen as enhancing Singapore's reputation as a hub for IP protection.
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| Kevin Wong and Kiran Dharsan |
Ella Cheong Spruson & Ferguson (Singapore) Pte Ltd
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Singapore 189721
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