EUIPO brings Moldova and Ukraine into global discussions at IP Mediation Conference 2025
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) organised the 2025 IP Mediation Conference on 16 and 17 October in Malta, gathering judges, lawyers, business leaders and intellectual property (IP) experts from around the world. The event, held under the theme ‘Unlocking the Power of Mediation: A Pathway to Efficient and Sustainable IP Dispute Resolution’, highlighted the transformative potential of mediation and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in addressing today’s IP challenges.
The conference featured high-level interventions, including an introduction from João Negrão, Executive Director of the EUIPO, and keynote addresses from senior members of the judiciary and academia. Over two days, participants explored mediation across diverse IP areas such as geographical indications, copyright, trade secrets and patents, as well as the role of AI tools in dispute resolution and the evolving role of courts in encouraging mediation. A live demonstration by an internationally renowned mediator offered attendees practical insight into how mediation works in real-world IP disputes.
Under the EU4IP project, representatives from Moldova and Ukraine joined the event, benefiting from direct exchanges with their international peers. Experts from the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovation (UANIPIO) also contributed to panel discussions featuring successful cases of UANIPIO’s Mediation Center. Their participation supported ongoing efforts to strengthen national ADR frameworks, providing faster, more cost-efficient and business-friendly alternatives to litigation, in line with EU practices.
The event also underlined the EUIPO’s pivotal role in mobilising expertise across the European Union Intellectual Property Network and fostering a Team Europe approach by bringing together EU institutions, national IP offices and user associations.
By supporting Moldova and Ukraine’s participation, the EUIPO contributed to advancing a more predictable and user-oriented IP environment in cooperation with EU candidate countries, reinforcing the role of ADR as an essential tool for innovation, investment and sustainable growth.