FRAPA Announces New Dispute Resolution Services

COLOGNE: The Format Recognition and Protection Association (FRAPA) is working with the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Arbitration and Mediation Center to provide alternative dispute resolution services in cases of alleged format plagiarism.

With the partnership, the WIPO Center will take on FRAPA’s existing mediation activity and will administer TV format-related disputes filed under the WIPO mediation and expedited arbitration rules for film and media, which were put in place in December. 

Ute Biernat, chairman of FRAPA, noted: “Delays, costs and burdens of litigation can be damaging. This is why alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation and arbitration, can help format owners, producers and broadcasters resolve their disputes out of court in a more flexible, confidential and efficient way that can also preserve their business relationships."

Erik Wilbers, the director of the WIPO Center, added: “The WIPO center is pleased to apply its dispute resolution expertise to the format sector. ADR offers interesting benefits for parties involved in format and other creative disputes. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with FRAPA and its members."