The period set aside for mediation could be 30 days, 60 days or 90 days. This period may be extended upon further request and justification by parties to the satisfaction of the Registrar.

That depends on whether the mediation is successful or not.

(i) If parties fully settle their dispute, and if the settlement affects the trade mark application or registration in any way, the trade mark applicant / proprietor would have to comply with the relevant procedure to withdraw or amend the trade mark application/registration or cancel the trade mark registration. In all cases, the initiating party has 2 weeks from the end of the mediation to inform IPOS in writing that the matter has been settled and parties will have to take the necessary steps to close the proceedings before IPOS.

(ii) If parties partially settle their dispute and the remaining issues are subject to adjudication at IPOS or if parties do not manage to settle any aspect of their dispute, the initiating party has 2 weeks from the end of the mediation to inform IPOS in writing accordingly. Deadlines to file evidence will apply again (from the second CMC which will be convened by IPOS upon resumption of the conduct of the matter). Extensions of time must be filed if deadlines cannot be met. Further procedure after the second CMC remains the same as before the mediation, so parties will file their evidence and there will be a Pre-Hearing Review before the full hearing, if the dispute is not settled by then.

IPOS is not directly involved in the mediation. 

There are many benefits to resolving a dispute through mediation. 

If parties submit the dispute to mediation, they do not need to apply for extensions of time to file evidence until the mediation process is completed and they have not fully settled their dispute. In such a case, the initiating party will have to inform IPOS in writing accordingly within 2 weeks from the end of the mediation process. 

Under the collaborative framework that IPOS has worked out with WIPO, parties may submit the dispute to mediation in Singapore using the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center ("WIPO Center"). Parties are, however, free to choose other mediation providers. However, the process which follows may differ according to the mediation provider chosen.

Mediation may be considered any time before the Registrar issues a decision on the dispute. Where parties submit the dispute to mediation after a hearing but before the decision is issued, the Registrar will withhold the decision until the end of the mediation process; and will issue the decision only if parties do not settle their dispute.

Where both parties agree to mediate, both parties jointly complete one Request for WIPO Mediation. Either party sends the Request for WIPO Mediation to the WIPO Center Office in Singapore by email (arbiter.mail@wipo.int), as well as to the other party and IPOS. The WIPO Center will contact the parties about the next steps of the mediation procedure, the appointment of the mediator and the mediator's fees.

If you wish to propose mediation to the other party, you can complete sections 1, 2 and 3a of the Request for WIPO Mediation then send the Request for WIPO Mediation to the WIPO Center Office in Singapore by email (arbiter.mail@wipo.int), as well as to the other party and IPOS. The WIPO Center will approach the other party to help them in considering the Request for WIPO Mediation.

Mediation is introduced following the filing of the Counter-Statement.

Parties have one month from the receipt of the Notification to Registrar to decide whether to submit the dispute to mediation. Each party will complete and sign its own Notification to Registrar to inform the Registrar of its decision concerning the conduct of the dispute. Parties may wish to note that from the time the Counter-Statement is filed, the proceedings at IPOS are suspended to allow both parties to consider mediation as a viable alternative to resolving their dispute, without time pressure.

Parties should note that they can still submit the dispute to mediation later on in the opposition as long as the Registrar has not issued his decision.