Skip the Fight, Find the Fix – EUIPO Expands Mediation Services

Starting June 2nd, it’s easier than ever to settle EU trademark (EUTM) and design (EUD) disputes without the drama. The EUIPO now offers mediation for all types of disputes between parties—whether it’s challenging a new trademark application, trying to cancel an existing one, or disputing the validity of a registered product design. That means fewer headaches, faster outcomes, and solutions that actually work for both sides.

IP disputes can drag on, cost a fortune, and drain your team’s time. Mediation skips the courtroom and focuses on practical problem-solving. It’s cheaper, flexible, completely confidential, and designed to help both parties find common ground. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, mediation helps protect your IP while preserving valuable business relationships.

This latest update lets you request mediation right from the beginning of a dispute, not just during appeals. You can also bring in other related conflicts—think overlapping issues with domain names, copyright, or even patents. It’s a big step in the EUIPO’s mission to make dispute resolution more accessible. They’re even exploring future services for things like craft-based geographical indications (think: legally protected names for locally made goods like Czech glass or Italian ceramics)—all under one digital roof.

The EUIPO’s expanded mediation services are great news for businesses, and we’re excited about it—because we’re just as passionate about legal remediation as you are about protecting your work. If you’ve got a problem brewing over trademarks, designs, or other IP rights, we’re here to help you figure out the best way forward.

Need support with mediation or resolving an IP dispute? Get in touch with our legal team—we’re ready to help you sort it out!

Text: ‘Mediation Services Extended to All EUTM and Registered EUD Disputes’. EUIPO, https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/mediation-services-extended-to-all-eutm-and-registered-eud-disputes. Accessed 25 June 2025.

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