Resolving disputes

If you are involved in a dispute with someone else about a patent, then you can resolve the dispute by filing proceedings in the courts or with us.

However resolving your dispute through litigation should be your last resort. Litigation will take up a great deal of your time, could involve a lot of stress and cost you quite a lot of money which you may not get back. At the end of the proceedings normally only one side wins and this may not be you.

It is always better to avoid litigation if you can. You could try to reach a settlement that is fair to both sides or you might consider coming to a licensing arrangement or failing that you might want to try alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation.

You might also want to consider obtaining a UK Intellectual Property Office opinion. This will give you an independent assessment of the main issues in dispute and is designed to help you and the other side focus on the main issues in dispute and test the strength of your arguments.