New IP co-mediation rules come into effect

New co-mediation rules on intellectual property disputes concerning trade marks and design owners in China and the European Union came into force on Wednesday to serve cross-border disputants in the field of intellectual property.

The rules are part of a new mediation mechanism for intellectual property dispute settlement between the two sides. On Wednesday, the mechanism was jointly launched by the Shanghai Commercial Mediation Center (SCMC) and the Boards of Appeal of European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO BoA).

The new Co-Mediation Mechanism on Intellectual Property includes a series of supporting documents. Besides the International Commercial Intellectual Property Co-Mediation Rules, there are also the Co-Mediation Agreement, the Confidentiality Statement and the Statement of Co-Mediators.

This mechanism provides an efficient and convenient way to settle disputes between enterprises in Europe and China in the field of intellectual property.

The co-mediation mechanism emphasizes the standardization, confidentiality and neutrality of mediation, and fully reflects the broader, deeper and higher level of cooperation in the field of intellectual property dispute settlement between EU-China-based parties.

The EUIPO BoA is an independent decision-making body within the EUIPO. It hears and adjudicates EU trade mark and design disputes involving parties from all over the world.

The SCMC is the first neutral professional mediation organization in China. Since its establishment in 2011, it has been working to promote the mediation of disputes in the field of intellectual property.