EUIPO hosted a workshop for Mediation in Intellectual Property Disputes in the context of the EU-Japan IPA project
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), within the framework of the EU–Japan Intellectual Property Action (EU–Japan IPA), organised an online workshop on mediation in intellectual property (IP) disputes on 30 October 2026, in cooperation with the Japan Intellectual Property Arbitration Center (JIPAC).
The event brought together representatives from public institutions, mediation centres, academia and private-sector organisations from Europe and Japan to exchange experiences on the use of mediation and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in IP disputes. Participants explored the role of mediation in supporting effective, flexible and business-oriented solutions for trade mark, design, patent, copyright and domain name disputes.
The programme featured contributions from experts representing the EUIPO Mediation Centre, JIPAC, the Japan Patent Office (JPO), the Unified Patent Court Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (UPC PMAC), and academia. Discussions examined the current state of IP mediation in Japan and Europe, highlighting challenges such as limited uptake, legal and institutional fragmentation, enforceability concerns, and the need for specialised expertise. Speakers also shared practical examples and institutional approaches to mediation, demonstrating how ADR can help preserve business relationships, reduce costs and time, and address the growing complexity of cross-border IP disputes.
Through expert presentations, interactive discussions and case-based exchanges, participants identified opportunities for closer EU–Japan cooperation in the field of IP mediation. The workshop concluded with a reflection on lessons learned and potential areas for future collaboration, reinforcing the shared commitment of European and Japanese stakeholders to promoting effective, accessible and innovation-friendly dispute resolution mechanisms within the intellectual property system.