Common use of Protocol to Resolve Disputes Respecting Intellectual Property Rights Clause in Contracts

Protocol to Resolve Disputes Respecting Intellectual Property Rights. 16.7.1 Inventors with a dispute as to whether to commercialize, or whether to commercialize through the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) or its delegate or by independent action, shall attempt to resolve it through the following process: (a) The Inventors shall meet with the Vice-Principal (Research) or their delegate to discuss the dispute and explore possible resolutions; (b) If the preceding step does not resolve the dispute, the Inventors shall, by mutual agreement, identify and engage the services of an independent mediator to assist them. The following terms apply: (i) The costs associated with the mediation shall be shared equally by disputants. (ii) Upon conclusion of the mediation, the mediator shall immediately advise the Office of the Vice-Principal (Research) or its delegate in writing if no settlement is reached. 16.7.2 Any information exchanged orally or in writing in an effort to resolve a dispute under Article 16.7 shall be on a without-prejudice basis and shall not be disclosed beyond the participants without their unanimous written consent.