As part of the WIPO ADR Services for Specific Sectors, the WIPO Center provides dispute resolution advice and case administration services to help parties resolve disputes arising at trade fairs.
In this context, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, including mediation and expedited arbitration, can offer time- and cost-efficient ways to protect intellectual property (IP) rights against infringements at trade fairs. As alternatives to court litigation they offer the opportunity to resolve a dispute with the assistance of an expert in the substance of the dispute in a very short timeframe. ADR mechanisms offer a neutral forum that permits taking into account parties’ business and other strategic goals at trade fairs.
The WIPO Mediation, Arbitration, Expedited Arbitration and Expert Determination Rules are well suited for disputes between parties involved in trade fairs.
The WIPO Rules are flexible and can also be applied in disputes that are not limited to IP. In its role as administering institution, the WIPO Center maintains strict neutrality and independence.
Effective proceedings to a large extent depend on the quality of the mediator, arbitrator or expert. The WIPO Center maintains an international open-ended Panel, including mediators, arbitrators and experts from around the world combining legal, business and/or technical expertise in the different areas relevant to trade shows. They can be appointed by parties in cases under WIPO Rules but parties are also free to select mediators, arbitrators or experts from outside the WIPO Panel.
The WIPO Center makes available recommended contract clauses and submission agreements that parties can use to submit their disputes to ADR. Upon request, the WIPO Center provides procedural guidance to interested parties and organizations involved in the trade fair sector. This includes advice on the drafting and adaptation of ADR clauses in trade fair related contracts and submission agreements, as well as helping to bring disputing parties to ADR.
The WIPO Center also organizes training and workshops on mediation, arbitration and related topics.
Where appropriate in light of the needs of the relevant stakeholders, the WIPO Center provides guidance in the establishment of adapted ADR frameworks, including Rules, fees and clauses, and provides administrative services thereunder.
To optimize dispute resolution in the trade fair sector, the WIPO Center collaborates with relevant stakeholders and organizations. This may include organization of joint events and training, and establishment of adapted ADR frameworks, and involves for example the following:
Palexpo and the WIPO Center are collaborating in the provision of a dedicated Fast-Track Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Procedure for Palexpo Trade Fairs.
SingEx and the WIPO Center are collaborating in the provision of a dedicated Fast-Track Intellectual Property Dispute Resolution Procedure for SingEx Trade and/or Consumer Fairs.
The WIPO Center is available to collaborate with other interested stakeholders
In the trade fair sector, the WIPO Center collaborates in particular with WIPO’s Building Respect for IP Division.
| Arbitration and Mediation Center Geneva |
Arbitration and Mediation Center Singapore |
|---|---|
| 34, chemin des Colombettes P.O. Box 18 1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland T +4122 338 8247 or 0800 888 549 F +4122 740 3700 or 0800 888 550 |
Maxwell Chambers 28 Maxwell Road #02-14 Singapore 069120 T +65 6225 2129 F +65 6225 3568 |
General queries: arbiter.mail@wipo.int