To further encourage the amicable resolution of intellectual property (IP) disputes before the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), IPOS has extended the Revised Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme (REMPS) for another 3 years, until 31 March 2028.
REMPS is an IPOS funding initiative designed to support parties who wish to resolve IP disputes through mediation. Originally launched on 1 April 2019 as the 3-year Enhanced Mediation Promotion Scheme (EMPS) (see our article here), scheme funding under the REMPS can be used for mediation service provider’s fees, mediator’s fees and a part of mediation-related legal or agent fees, regardless of the outcome of the mediation. The EMPS was renewed on 1 April 2022 for a further 3-year period until 31 March 2025, this time as the REMPS.
Although most of the key eligibility conditions for reimbursement under the 2019 EMPS and 2022 REMPS were retained, the 2025 REMPS reduced the reimbursements available per mediation case:
However, the 2025 REMPS retained the parties’ right to reimbursement of up to 80% of mediation-related lawyer/agent fees under the 2022 REMPS (up from 50% under the 2019 EMPS). The 2025 REMPS also retained the requirement to submit:
Mediation may be more advantageous, because it generally involves finding a middle ground acceptable to the parties and fosters a cooperative, rather than adversarial, approach that can preserve business relationships. Given the benefits of mediation, the REMPS extension is a welcome development that parties involved in IP disputes before IPOS should note and utilise.
OrionW regularly advises clients on intellectual property matters. For more information about intellectual property, or if you have questions about this article, please contact us at info@orionw.com.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
