Low-cost mediation services for VICPA members to resolve IP disputes without resorting to costly legal action
22 October 2025 – The Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore) (VICPA) has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to launch a Pilot IP Mediation Programme, exclusively offering VICPA members a low-bono, accessible route to resolve IP disputes. This initiative aims to empower Singapore’s creative freelancers with practical and affordable dispute resolution options outside of formal litigation and is part of VICPA’s broader commitment to ensuring that access to justice is fair, inclusive and within reach for all creative freelancers, regardless of their resources or background.
Navigating IP disputes can be particularly challenging for independent creators and small businesses. Civil litigation, while an option, is often costly, time-intensive and complex. Many creatives seek a more collaborative and constructive approach, one that encourages mutual understanding without resorting to adversarial legal proceedings. Although mediation offers such an alternative, it has seen limited uptake, largely due to a lack of awareness and perceived barriers.
The Pilot IP Mediation Progamme addresses these challenges by providing access to a curated panel of experienced WIPO-registered mediators offering their services at significantly reduced rates. In addition, participants may benefit from funding support through WIPO’s AMP+ (WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme), which can help offset mediation costs and make the process even more accessible.
The programme was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between VICPA and WIPO and witnessed by Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, and VICPA’s advisor, Mr Edwin Tong SC, underscoring the government’s support for accessible IP dispute resolution.
This new initiative builds on VICPA’s ongoing efforts to support the creative community in protecting their intellectual property. In 2024, VICPA signed an MOU with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) to strengthen IP education and awareness among creatives, laying the foundation for a more informed and empowered ecosystem.
James Tan, President of VICPA, shared: “This collaboration with WIPO is a significant milestone for Singapore’s creative community. By making mediation more accessible and affordable, we are empowering creatives to protect their intellectual property and resolve disputes constructively. Every creative deserves fair access to justice, and we are grateful that with the support of WIPO and Minister Edwin Tong, we are taking a decisive step towards that goal.”
Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO, said “This MOU with VICPA builds on WIPO’s extensive work supporting creators on the ground around the world. It is particularly timely, as the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has observed a 780% increase in copyright and digital content related disputes between 2021 and 2025.
Singapore is already a hub for alternative dispute resolution (ADR), so this will leverage off Singapore’s strengths as well as WIPO’s expertise in this area to serve the needs of creative professionals, who want to be able to resolve their IP disputes in a way that is friendly and cost effective.”
The Pilot IP Mediation Programme reflects VICPA’s mission to champion the rights of creative freelancers and to build a more equitable ecosystem for IP protection and dispute resolution. More details on the programme and how to participate will be shared with VICPA members in the coming weeks.
About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, with a further office in Singapore, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center was established in Geneva in 1994 and in Singapore in 2010, to offer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) options for the resolution of international commercial disputes between private parties. Developed by leading experts in cross-border dispute settlement, the arbitration, mediation and expert determination procedures offered by the Center are widely recognized as particularly appropriate for technology, entertainment and other disputes involving intellectual property.
