In more detail
REMPs is a funding scheme by IPOS to cover part of parties' mediation costs. REMPs encourages parties in IPOS proceedings to choose mediation by partially funding the process to encourage amicable IP dispute resolution.
Some adjustments will be made to funding under REMPs, as detailed in the table below:
| Mediation date |
1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025 |
1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028 |
| Reimbursement to parties for mediation involving only Singapore IP rights |
Up to SGD 10,000 |
Up to SGD 8,000 |
| Reimbursement to parties for mediation involving Singapore and foreign IP rights |
Up to SGD 14,000 |
Up to SGD 12,000 |
| Reimbursement to sole party that applies for REMPs funding where both parties prefer mediation but one party does not wish to apply for funding |
Up to SGD 3,000 |
Up to SGD 1,000 |
There are several conditions to obtain funding under REMPs, including the following:
- The mediation takes place in Singapore. This may include the use of videoconferencing to involve the parties' representatives who are unable to be present in Singapore during the mediation, as long as the mediator is physically in Singapore during the mediation, and is Singaporean or is based in Singapore.
- Parties allow a "shadow" mediator appointed by IPOS from the Young IP Mediator Initiative to observe the mediation.
- Parties disclose their lawyers'/agents' fees incurred from the start to the end of the IPOS proceedings.
- Parties give feedback on their mediation experience.
- Parties co-pay at least 20% of their lawyers'/agents' fees relating to mediation.
Parties can use any mediation service provider that is an organization. This includes the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center, the Singapore International Mediation Centre and the Singapore Mediation Centre.
Key takeaways
As discussed in our client alert for January 2025, the WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme (AMP+) has also been extended in 2025. These recent initiatives by IPOS show its continued emphasis on amicable IP dispute resolution, and that mediation as a dispute resolution option will continue to be a trend in the IP disputes landscape. Of course, there are naturally expected cost, time and resource savings for parties electing to meditate under these initiatives.
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