Independent mediators for intellectual property and technology disputes involving licensing, software, digital services, ownership, use, royalties, performance or innovation-related commercial relationships.
Mediation for disputes where rights, technology and commercial strategy overlap
Intellectual property and technology disputes can become commercially significant very quickly. Questions about ownership, licensing, performance or permitted use may affect products, revenue, customer relationships, market access and future innovation.
The Echelon Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Panel brings together mediators suited to suitable commercial disputes where technical context and business strategy may be important to understanding the settlement landscape.
The mediator does not determine IP ownership, infringement, source-code quality or technical liability. Legal and technical advisers remain responsible for specialist opinions while the mediator manages the negotiation process.
IP and technology disputes the panel can support
Typical matters may combine legal rights, technical evidence and commercial dependency.
Licensing & Usage Rights
Disputes concerning licence scope, territory, permitted use, exclusivity, sublicensing, restrictions, termination or continuing rights.
Software & Technology Contracts
Disagreements involving software development, SaaS, implementation, delivery, acceptance, functionality, support or contractual performance.
IP Ownership & Commercialisation
Suitable disputes concerning ownership, exploitation, commercial use or revenue arrangements relating to intellectual property.
Royalties & Payment
Disputes involving royalties, licence fees, revenue shares, payment calculations, reporting or sums said to be due under IP or technology arrangements.
Digital Services & Projects
Conflict arising from digital projects, platforms, agencies, technology suppliers, implementation programmes or outsourced technology services.
Continuing Technology Relationships
Disputes where settlement may need to preserve access, support, licensing, transition arrangements, confidentiality or continuing technical cooperation.
A commercial solution may need to work beyond the dispute itself
Technology and IP disputes may involve strong legal positions, but the commercial consequences of continuing the dispute can be just as significant.
Parties may need to consider ongoing licence rights, customer commitments, access, transition, confidentiality, data, technical support, release schedules, payment structures, market timing and future use of intellectual property.
Mediation creates space to explore those wider business issues alongside the legal and technical positions while leaving specialist advice with the parties' legal and technical teams.
An IP or technology mediation can help parties:
- identify the legal, technical and commercial issues that are blocking settlement;
- separate matters requiring expert determination from negotiable business interests;
- consider licence, access, transition or future-use arrangements;
- explore payment, royalty and non-financial settlement terms together;
- protect confidentiality and commercially sensitive information;
- address continuing technology dependencies where appropriate; and
- retain control over whether and on what terms settlement is reached.
Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Panel
Mediator appointments are considered according to the nature, complexity and circumstances of the dispute. Individual mediator profiles set out professional registrations, accreditations, experience and areas of particular practice.
Approved mediator profiles for this section will appear here.
Choosing an appropriate mediator
Mediator selection should reflect the type of technology or IP dispute, commercial dependency between the parties and the extent to which specialist technical context may assist the process.
Independence
Mediator appointments are subject to appropriate independence and conflict checks before the mediation proceeds.
Relevant Experience
Relevant technology, intellectual-property, licensing or complex commercial dispute experience can be valuable where the issues require informed commercial context.
Process Fit
The mediator and format should be proportionate to the dispute, the parties involved and the practical requirements of the mediation.
How the process begins
Initial enquiry
Tell Echelon briefly about the nature of the dispute, the parties involved and the anticipated mediation format.
Conflict & suitability checks
Relevant information is considered before an appointment is confirmed, including independence, availability and suitability.
Mediator appointment
Once the parties agree to proceed, the mediator, proposed timetable, format and fees can be confirmed.
Preparation & mediation
The parties receive the necessary process information and prepare for the mediation in accordance with the agreed arrangements.
Intellectual Property & Technology Dispute Guides
Explore practical guidance from the Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Panel on licensing, software, digital projects, IP conflict, mediation and commercial settlement.
Guide category not recognised.
Considering mediation for an IP or technology dispute?
IP, licensing and technology disputes sit within Echelon Dispute Resolution's Commercial Mediation service where the matter is a suitable business-to-business or commercial dispute.
Parties and their advisers can contact Echelon to discuss mediator suitability, confidentiality, technical adviser involvement, proposed format and practical arrangements.
Useful next steps
Learn more about the relevant mediation service, review current fees or contact Echelon about a potential appointment.
Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes Panel FAQs
What types of IP and technology disputes may be suitable for mediation?
Suitable matters can include licensing, software development, SaaS, technology contracts, royalties, IP ownership, permitted use, digital projects and continuing technology relationships.
Does the mediator decide whether IP has been infringed or who owns it?
No. The mediator does not determine infringement, validity, ownership or other legal rights. Those issues remain matters for legal advice and, if necessary, formal determination.
Can technical experts take part in the mediation?
Yes, where useful. Technical experts, lawyers and commercial decision-makers can provide specialist input while the mediator structures the negotiation and settlement discussions.
How is confidential technical or commercial information handled?
The mediation process is conducted on agreed confidential terms, subject to applicable exceptions. Parties should identify any particularly sensitive information and agree how it will be handled within the process.
Can mediation include future licensing or technology arrangements?
Yes. Subject to appropriate legal and technical advice, parties can explore future licensing, access, support, transition, payment, confidentiality and other practical commercial arrangements.
Discuss appointing a mediator
If an IP or technology dispute is affecting rights, delivery or commercial relationships, contact Echelon Dispute Resolution to discuss mediator suitability and mediation options.