this European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO for its English acronym) next year mediation center so that companies can resolve their disputes on issues such as trademark and industrial design without resorting to court. This was announced by the managing director of Alicante-based Euroagency this Thursday. Christian Archambeau, while taking Award given to the Spanish Mediation Center (CEM) rewarded you for already using this alternative dispute resolution method.
As explained by the head of the body created by the Spanish Chamber, the former minister Raphael Katala EUIPO’s appeal boards more than ten years to offer companies the opportunity to reach agreements through mediation to settle disputes that arise over the competence of the community body. More possibilities at this time 400 companies and with notable success, according to Catalá, 80% of cases reached agreement satisfactory for both parties.
However, Archambeau acknowledged that the number of cases is still “moderate”, but EUIPO’s efforts to strengthen service and “make it official” with the creation of amediation center that will see the light at the end of next year.” A decision that will also mean increasing Euroagency’s current number of mediators – currently 21 in total – by hiring “new experts”.
“In the current post-pandemic context, it is even more necessary. resolve disputes quickly and precisely”, insisted the head of the European body. Therefore, along the same lines, it announced that it has launched an online platform to be able to carry out this process remotely.
The presentation of the 1. CEM Mediation Impulse Award took place during a conference held by this institution and the Alicante Chamber of Commerce at the Provincial Archaeological Museum to analyze the changes brought about by the new system. Process Efficiency Lawwhat’s that It will make negotiation necessary. before filing a lawsuit in court. It’s a measure we want to avoid the current saturation that the courts are experiencing.
As the President of the County Court recalled, Juan Carlos CeronIt is a measure that the judges have long demanded and compared with the judges. “triage” It is carried out in hospital emergencies to decide which cases should actually go to court.
In this sense, the Chairman of the Board of Alicante, Eve ToledoIn addition to the lack of culture on the issue, the inadequate use of mediation currently in Spain is, among other things, “ access to the judicial system is very cheap. In the United States, a lawsuit can put you out of the market for costs, and that’s why 85% of cases are resolved through mediation.” Despite this, he was convinced that regulatory changes, as well as a new, more “humane” business culture, and above all the need for certainty in a scenario like the current one, would drive this practice.
Dean of the Alicante College of Economists, Francisco Menarguesreminded that this institution is one of the main advocates of this practice and underlined the role that these professionals can play. early warning”, in the event that a potential conflict is identified that can be resolved by such intervention.
Finally, the President of the Alicante Family Business Association (Aefa), Mait Anton, highlighted the benefits that mediation can bring to this type of company. “Conflicts can arise in any company because that is normal, but the important thing is that these conflicts are resolved appropriately. family relationship is not lost‘ said Anton.