IPOPHL Launches Online Mediation, Eyes Increased Use of Online Tools in Creating "New Normal" 

May 21, 2020

Resolution of disputes through the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’s (IPOPHL) mediation service will resume with renewed vigor as it now allows mediation proceedings to be held online, a move that not only contributes to shaping the “new normal” at the Office but also furthers IPOPHL’s digital transformation journey. 

Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-12, signed by IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba and issued on May 4, 2020, revised MC 2020-11 to give way for the holding of online mediation in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

“The new issuance ensures the safety and convenience of the parties and the mediators as well as the continuance of mediation services during the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine and beyond,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba said.

"Moreover, we see our mediation service’s transition to the digital environment as a transformative step that inspires us to further expand our suite of online services. Increasing our use of digital solutions will definitely make IPOPHL’s services simpler, faster, more cost-effective, while ensuring continuous operations even in a crisis,” DG Barba added.

Mediation, IPOPHL’s main alternative dispute resolution service, enables parties to settle their domestic or cross-border intellectual property and technology disputes out of the traditional litigation. This provides for an efficient and cost-effective way of resolving the dispute compared to the tedious, costly, and protracted litigation process.

In addition, mediation encourages settlement of disputes where the parties exercise autonomy and are assured confidentiality. Being a win-win solution, this platform for alternative dispute resolution promotes the business interests of both parties. 

Last May 15, IPOPHL’s Bureau of Legal Affairs (BLA) and mediators met online to ensure the successful implementation of the online mediation service.

To take advantage of online mediation, parties to pending mediation proceedings may file a request to be sent to the Head of BLA's Alternative Dispute Resolution Services (luwin.delaconcha@ipophil.gov.ph). The Director of the BLA (nathaniel.arevalo@ipophil.gov.ph) should also be copy furnished. 

The conduct of online mediation is also available for IPOPHL's Mediation Outside Litigation service which allows parties to submit their dispute to mediation even before or without filing a case. This gives parties the opportunity to resolve their disputes at the earliest possible time and with the least possible cost.### (Janina Lim, Media Relations Officer)