FRAPA Partners WIPO and Atradius

WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center: Partner in TV format dispute resolution

The Format Recognition and Protection Association (FRAPA) and WIPO’s (World Intellectual Property Organization) Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center) are joining forces in providing alternative dispute resolution services to address problems of format plagiarism or the unauthorized copying of television (TV) formats, such as those used for game, reality or talent shows and sitcoms. Programs using these formats are often remade in different markets using local parties.

Mediation Service exclusive for FRAPA members

Under the new collaboration, 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 – a service FRAPA and WIPO provide exclusively for FRAPA members:

According to Ute Biernat, Chairman of FRAPA, the 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, Director of the WIPO Center, said: “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”.

Atradius: Expert Solutions for cross-border debt collection

The TV format industry is an increasingly borderless world. The global trade in TV formats has experienced an exponential growth during the last several years. Realizing that many of our members have international business-to-business debt collection requirements, we developed a preferred customer partnership with Atradius Collections – an international leader in the commercial debt collections arena.

Discount Rates for FRAPA members

Atradius Collections provides efficient, quick and flexible solutions to recover domestic and cross-border trade debts. The company has 400 staff in 18 offices and extensive network of collections specialists, lawyers and insolvency practitioners worldwide. Combined with the discounted preferential rates that we negotiated for our members, Atradius Collections offers best in class service and support to keep your cash flow healthy, while you focus on growing your businesses. Interested in learning more about Atradius Collections capabilities?

Please call:

Sascha Glaesser at +49 221 2044 1478;
sascha.glaesser@atradius.com
Gideon Jones at +44 (0)7768233328;
gideon.jones@atradius.com

www.atradiuscollections.com