22 January 2025

Intellectual Property Mediation

The mediation, qui aide les parties à parvenir à une solution amiable, volontaire et mutuellement acceptable permet ainsi de résoudre des conflits de propriété intellectuelle sans passer par une procédure judiciaire ou administrative, souvent longue et coûteuse.

Features

  • Volunteer Mediation is based on the mutual consent of the parties, who can end it at any time.
  • Confidential The discussions and agreements arising from mediation are strictly confidential, unlike a public court case.
  • Neutral The mediator is impartial and does not have the power to settle the dispute. They facilitate dialogue and help the parties identify their respective interests.
  • Flexible The parties are free to define the framework and terms of the mediation.

Example: Application to Patent Law

  1. Disputes over validity or infringement
    • A patent holder and a third party accused of infringement can use mediation to negotiate solutions, such as a cPatent licence agreement or a Change in the contested product/process.
  2. FRAND licensing negotiations
    • In the event of disputes regarding the terms of licences FRAND (Fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory), mediation can allow parties to agree on Royalties equitable and on the extent of rights.
  3. Cross-border disputes
    • In multi-jurisdictional disputes (European or international patents), mediation offers a comprehensive and swift solution, avoiding fragmented litigation across multiple countries.

Advantages

  • Reduction of Costs and some Deadlines.
  • Maintaining business relationships (especially in disputes between partners).
  • Confidentiality, essential in technical or financial patent disputes.
  • Flexibility, as parties may include commercial, technical or financial aspects in their discussions.

Examples of organisations offering Mediation

Author : Dhenne Avocats.