SINGAPORE - Businesses in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can now benefit from subsidized mediation to resolve their IP or technology disputes under the WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Program (AMP), a press release stated by the Intellectual Property Office in Singapore (IPOS).

Under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Program (AMP), individuals or entities with IP or technology disputes, or who need mediation support in concluding an IP or technology agreement, can get funding of up to SGD 8,000 for each mediation case, with the funding shared equally between parties unless otherwise agreed.

The AMP is an initiative by the WIPO Singapore Office (WSO) and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) under the WIPO-Singapore Government Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The AMP is supported by the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.

“With the global increase in IP or technology disputes, we recognize the growing interest in alternative dispute resolution, especially in the ASEAN region. Together with IPOS, we are excited to launch the pilot WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Program (AMP), which increases access to mediation for businesses. We hope more businesses in ASEAN can benefit from mediation as a viable and cost-effective solution for their IP or technology disputes,” said Ms. Thitapha Wattanapruttipaisan, WSO Director.

IPOS Chief Executive, Mrs. Rena Lee, said, “We hope the WIPO-Singapore ASEAN Mediation Program (AMP) encourages enterprises to use mediation as the preferred solution for resolving IP or technology disputes. ASEAN businesses can also tap on this initiative for negotiating the terms of IP or technology deals through mediation. We’re very glad to be able to partner WIPO to provide this service to our stakeholders.”

The AMP offers another mediation option for businesses, in addition to existing schemes such as the Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme (REMPS), which was extended from the Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme (EMPS).

Under EMPS, a multi-jurisdiction case involving a dispute over Singapore and foreign IP rights between American company, Aftershokz, LLC and Thai businessman, Mr. Suravit Kongmebhol was resolved via mediation after 19.5 hours, ending with a settlement agreement. It was more cost- and time-effective in comparison to litigation, which would have been a more costly and time-consuming process (more than two years for proceedings in multiple jurisdictions) with possible uneven outcomes across different jurisdictions.  

Interested applicants can apply for AMP funding by informing the WIPO Center when or after making a Request for WIPO Mediation. The pilot for AMP will end on December 31, 2023 or when the budget is completely drawn down, whichever is earlier.