SBS-Small Bussiness standards together with European DIGITAL SME Alliance organise a seminar with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), to present which are the potential benefits of mediation and arbitration tools, why these are currently underexploited and give practical examples of applicability of ADR mechanisms in favour of SMEs. The event will take place on January 22nd 2019, at  4, Rue Jacques de Lalaing, 1040 – Brussels.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration can offer swifter and less costly dispute resolution. While there can be no obligation for parties to recur to such mechanisms, the potential benefits of this tool are currently underexploited.

The seminar will look at the benefits of mediation and arbitration tools with the view to facilitating the roll-out of Intellectual Property mediation and arbitration services, for SMEs in particular.

DRAFT AGENDA 

08.30-09.00 Registration and Welcome Coffee.

9:00 – 9:10 Welcome by Small Business Standards.

• Christel Davidson, Director, Small Business Standards

9:10 – 9:40 Introduction by the European Commission: overview of activities and policy
initiatives on Standard Essential Patents.

• Emilio Davila Gonzalez (DG CONNECT)
• Anne von Zukowski (DG GROW)

9:40 – 11:00 Speakers presentation and panel discussion: SME access to alternative dispute resolution systems.

Panelists:

• Jean-Christophe Troussel (Bird & Bird),
• Leandro Emilio Toscano(WIPO), Luc Hendrickx (SMEunited)
• Moderator: Sebastiano Toffaletti (European DIGITAL SME Alliance)

11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break.

11:20 – 12:50 Speakers presentation and panel discussion: Understanding patents, competition & standardisation in an interconnected world.

Panelists:

• Christian Loyau (ETSI), Spiro Dhapi (CEN-CENELEC)
• Moderator: Sebastiano Toffaletti (European DIGITAL SME Alliance)

12:50 – 13 :00 Conclusions.

You can find more information here

Find the registration form here