Since the start of this series, we have been following two industrial property disputes, gradually going back in time:

• of the conflict that has arisen,
• in the legal proceedings,
• and then to voluntary mediation efforts,
• and, finally, to preventing problems right from the project stage.

This development highlights a reality: out-of-court settlements are playing an increasingly important role in the management of industrial property assets.

This trend is now evident within the European patent ecosystem.

When the Unified Patent Court (UPC) is mentioned, attention naturally turns to its legal activities.

However, there is another body that also deserves the attention of practitioners: the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC).

Having opened recently, this centre is beginning to establish itself within the European patent landscape.

Its existence reflects a fundamental trend: the desire to provide those involved in innovation with a range of tools to manage disputes that are often complex from both a technical and economic perspective.

This is a specialist centre linked to the JUB ecosystem, which is just getting started and will be particularly interesting to follow in the years to come.

The launch of the PMAC thus reflects the growing importance attached to mediation in the field of European patents.

At the end of this series, one thing is clear.

Whether it takes place during a dispute, before or during legal proceedings, at the project stage of an innovative venture, or now within the framework of the new specialist body, PMAC, mediation now plays an increasingly important role in industrial property and innovation strategies.

Would you like to find out more about the different types of mediation or work out which one would be best suited to your situation? Get in touch with the experts at Germain Maureau.