The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, which establishes a framework for collaboration between IPOS and the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center).

With this, disputes involving ownership and validity of Intellectual Property rights applied for in Singapore can be resolved through mediation under the WIPO Rules, administered by the WIPO Center Office in Singapore.

This may be especially advantageous for international parties seeking to settle related disputes in other jurisdictions.

BG (NS) Tan Yih San, IPOS Chief Executive and WIPO Director General Dr Francis Gurry signed the MOU at the sidelines of the WIPO General Assembly held in Geneva.

BG (NS) Tan said: "Disputing parties will benefit from having their multi-jurisdictional dispute involving Intellectual Property rights resolved in a win-win fashion through mediation under the administration of the Singapore Office of the WIPO Center. This is a positive step towards building Singapore as an Intellectual Property services hub for the region."

Said Dr Gurry: "The collaboration between IPOS and the WIPO Center in the provision of Alternative Dispute Resolution services demonstrates WIPO's and Singapore's shared commitment to the efficiency of the Intellectual Property infrastructure, which we also support through the WIPO Center's Office in Singapore."

The new mediation procedure is expected to become available at IPOS in the first quarter of 2012.

ellenja@sph.com.sg