Beijing opens 7 IPR-specific mediation offices

Beijing recently set up seven people's mediation offices dedicated to helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) solve their IPR disputes in a more convenient, efficient and cost-effective manner. 

The establishment of these offices, the first of their kind in Beijing, is the city’s latest move to address IPR-related disputes through mediation. As early as 2015, eight municipal authorities including the city's judicial department and intellectual property office jointly released a guideline on the work. 

Prior to establishing these offices, Beijing had set up 15 IPR-related people's mediation organizations to serve its 10 sophisticated high-tech industries. By the end of November, they had accepted 21,000 disputes and successfully mediated 10,900 of them, a success rate of 61.63 percent. 

Looking forward, Beijing's district-level judicial departments will strengthen their cooperation with IPR bureaus and primary-level courts to enhance the role of mediation in the entire IPR protection chain. 

The city will also draw on special mediation committees and IPR-related public service centers and stations to provide the public with convenient services.