The Philippines Bureau of Legal Affairs hears all inter partes IP cases, from oppositions to infringement disputes. In each case it sets 3 hearings to assess whether the case can be resolved by mediation. The IPO reported that it achieved its 100th successful mediation the other day.
Whether cases can settle through mediation depends on the willingness of the parties to negotiate/come to an agreement/explore possibilities as well as the skill of the mediator. If parties take a hard line stance as is common in conflicts, the mediation won't succeed. However some are clearly coming to a resolution, which can shorten disputes and reduce costs. IP Komodo always likes to look at alternatives to lengthy contentious proceedings in the Philippines.
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