The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has announced the establishment of a mediation center next year to help businesses resolve disputes related to trademarks and industrial designs without going to court. The plan, disclosed by Christian Archambeau, the managing director of the Alicante-based Euroagency, follows the award given to the Spanish Mediation Center (CEM) for already embracing this alternative dispute resolution path.
According to the head of the body created by the Spanish Chamber, EUIPO’s appeal boards have spent more than a decade offering firms the chance to settle conflicts through mediation, reducing friction around jurisdiction and competence within the community framework. Catalá noted that the program has already served around 400 companies with notable success, reporting that roughly 80% of cases reached agreements satisfactory to both parties.
Archambeau, however, admitted that the total number of mediated cases remains modest. Still, EUIPO is intensifying its efforts to formalize mediation by launching an official center that will commence operations toward the end of next year. The project will also entail expanding Euroagency’s mediator roster, which currently stands at 21, by bringing in additional experts to handle increased demand.
In the post-pandemic era, the need to resolve disputes swiftly and accurately is even more critical, according to EUIPO leadership. In line with this objective, the organization has also introduced an online platform to facilitate remote mediation, ensuring that processes can proceed without geographic limitations.
The launch coincided with the presentation of the 1. CEM Mediation Impulse Award during a conference organized by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce at the Provincial Archaeological Museum. The event examined the changes brought by the new mediation framework and questioned how this shift would affect process efficiency. A key question is how the new system will influence the speed and cost of negotiations before any court action is considered. The overarching aim is to alleviate court saturation and keep disputes out of the traditional courtroom setting whenever possible.
Juan Carlos Cerón, President of the County Court, underscored the long-standing demand among judges for this approach, drawing comparisons to a triage process used in hospital emergencies to determine which cases warrant court intervention. The dialogue highlighted a broader strategic push to channel less urgent matters away from crowded courts, freeing resources for more complex cases.
Eve Toledo, President of the Alicante City Council, pointed to a combination of cultural factors and practical hurdles that have limited mediation use in Spain. She noted that access to the judicial system remains relatively inexpensive in some contexts, whereas in the United States, lawsuits can impose substantial costs, prompting around 85% of cases to be settled through mediation there. Still, she stressed that regulatory reforms, a more humane business culture, and a clear need for certainty in today’s unsettled climate could drive broader adoption of mediation practices in Spain as well.
Francisco Menargues, Dean of the Alicante College of Economists, reminded attendees that the college has long been a proponent of mediation, emphasizing the role professionals can play in providing early warnings of potential conflicts that can be resolved before escalation. His comments framed mediation as a proactive step that preserves business relationships while reducing friction and cost.
Mait Anton, President of the Alicante Family Business Association (AEFA), highlighted the advantages mediation offers to family-owned enterprises. He acknowledged that conflicts arise in any company but emphasized that timely, appropriate resolution helps families protect important relationships and maintain continuity across generations.