Resolving disputes

Occasionally, intellectual property (IP) can lead to disputes. For example, this could be about ownership, what your IP covers or because someone has infringed your IP. In many cases, it is better for parties to negotiate a solution before taking legal action in the courts. Using an Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation, can often be cheaper and quicker and the results of a decision can be beneficial to all parties.

You should contact your legal adviser, patent or trade mark attorney before taking any action in a dispute.

Mediation

Mediation is a way of resolving a dispute, for example over ownership or use of IP rights, by negotiation.

It is often possible to resolve a dispute through mediation, and this is often cheaper and quicker than resorting to legal action.

If both parties agree to mediation, the mediator will meet each side separately and together to discuss the issues involved. Once the main issues are clear, the mediator will act as a facilitator to try to settle the dispute but does not make a decision.

The outcome is not binding and parties can continue with proceeding if mediation fails.

Our mediation service may help you if you are involved in a dispute concerning a design, patent, trade mark.or a work protected by copyright.