Patent office launches new mediation service

This month the UK Patent Office launched a new mediation service for the resolution of intellectual property disputes. It covers all intellectual property rights and, particularly if combined with the new non-binding patent opinion service introduced in October 2005, represents a further useful initiative to speed up and reduce the costs of resolution of intellectual property disputes.

The charges for this service will be £750 (plus VAT) for a half-day mediation and £1,000 (plus VAT) for a full-day mediation in London. This includes the costs of the mediator and venue at the Patent Office. Such costs will be shared equally by the parties unless agreed otherwise.

Click here to view further information regarding the service, including a Model Mediation Agreement.