Resolving disputes

Occasionally, disputes can arise in relation to intellectual property (IP). For example, this could be about ownership, what your IP covers or because you have infringed someone else's IP.

In many cases, it is better for parties to negotiate a solution before taking legal action in the courts. Using 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 a legal adviser, patent or trade mark attorney before taking any action in a dispute.

Mediation

Mediation is one form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). It allows opposing parties to talk about their dispute and, hopefully, come to an agreement without the need for a court hearing. The mediator's job is not to reach a decision on the dispute but to help the parties work out possible solutions to it.

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.

Licensing

If you want to use someone else’s intellectual property (IP), you may need to seek permission from the owner of the IP and to ask under what terms you can use their IP. This agreement may be in the form of a licence.

Opinions

You can ask us for a non-binding opinion on patent infringement.

IP Courts

If you are unable to resolve your dispute then you may have to enforce/defend your rights through the Intellectual Property Courts.