WIPO to Host Conference on Dispute Resolution in International Science and Technology Collaboration

Geneva, 31 Jan 2005

Creating and managing intellectual property (IP) in the field of scientific and technological research has become a high stakes game as companies and research institutes seek to protect their underlying investment. Research increasingly involves complex international collaboration between partners as diverse as public and private research institutions, universities, industry, start-up companies and venture capital providers. Such relationships can give rise to equally complex IP and technology disputes. An international Conference to explore practical options to resolve these types of disputes will be organized by the Arbitration and Mediation Center of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva on April 25 and 26, 2005.

The complexity of IP and technology disputes, coupled with the spiraling costs of international litigation, has fueled interest in efficient dispute resolution alternatives. Options such as arbitration and mediation can be of particular interest to resource-constrained universities and public sector research institutions whose financial viability depends on their ability to protect their IP in a constructive and cost-effective manner.

The Conference, which will bring together speakers from key institutions involved in science and technology collaboration, will consider different ways to structure collaboration, areas of potential disputes and different approaches to dispute resolution.

The Conference will be held at WIPO, 34, chemin des Colombettes, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland. It will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 25 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26, 2005. An optional program on the afternoon of April 26 will include a presentation of WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and a visit to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva.

The full program and registration details are available on the website of the Conference at http:///arbiter.wipo.int/events/conferenc es/2005/index.html. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.

Journalists wishing to cover this event are requested to contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section at WIPO: Tel: + 41 22 338 8161 or 338 95 47; e-mail: publicinf@wipo.int.

World Intellectual Property Organisation
http:///www.wipo.int
Item source: http:///www.wipo.int /edocs/prdocs/en/2005 /wipo_ma_2005_16.html