DIGITAL SME Live returns after the summer break with a webinar about “IP Dispute Resolution for SMEs: Finding rapid and amicable solutions with the help of EUIPO”.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many SMEs across the EU, including digital SMEs, have suffered devastating economic repercussions. The crisis will substantially affect how these companies manage their intangible assets in the coming months. Intellectual Property (IP)-related disputes, e.g. disputes related to a company’s trademark, can pose an additional heavy weight on businesses. In this context, alternative dispute settlement can help to avoid complex litigation proceedings, which drain resources and can act as an obstacle to businesses.
At this time of crisis, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is offering SMEs a COVID-19 special online service to settle their Intellectual Property disputes. Rather than entering into expensive and long-term legal disputes, SMEs can find a cheaper, quicker and easier way to solve their IP-related disputes with the help of experts. Effective Dispute Resolution (EDR) aims to settle disputes by using the most effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism possible.
How does it work?
It’s a free service for SMEs offered by the EUIPO to resolve IPR disputes. The EUIPO’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) designates a case handler to guide SMEs through various amicable resolution possibilities. The service is split into two different phases and has 22 EDR case handlers covering nine EU languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Bulgarian, Polish, Dutch and Greek).
In the first phase, the case handler receives a request to use the special service and, in a confidential environment, explores the background of the dispute pending at the EUIPO and any other parallel proceedings elsewhere. If the SME and the other party agree, and once one of the recommended means of dispute resolution has been chosen, the second phase will be immediately launched online.
On 24 September the EUIPO and DIGITAL SME will jointly organise a webinar explaining this new tool and the most recurrent ways to settle conflicts outside litigation.
Register below to join our webinar on Thursday 24 September, 16.00 CEST.
by : Rosanna Belmonte on 2020-09-03 10:22:35
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