Analyzing Methods of Resolving Disputes and Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights in Exhibitions

Exhibitions are still the best way to exchange the latest technological and commercial developments, especially innovations in intellectual property and identifying competitors. They have long been a platform for disputes related to intellectual property rights, including the claims of competitors against each other. Experience has shown that in disputes related to intellectual property rights in expositions, both dispute sides are at risk of hasty judgments. On one side, due to the short duration of the exposition, the owners of intellectual property do not have enough time to collect documents and take action against the infringer. On the other side, due to the large audience in the exposition, any action or temporary order against the possible defendant will damage his reputation and deprive him of the marketing opportunity. So, it is necessary to adopt an appropriate approach to resolve disputes to protect intellectual property rights by maintaining a balance between the conflicting interests of the parties to the dispute. With an analytical approach, this article has examined three dispute resolution mechanisms, i.e. judicial method, alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR), and administrative proceedings to protect intellectual property rights in expositions. In the end, it seems that alternative dispute resolution methods and the formation of fast-specialized investigation boards have priority over other available methods. Establishing a specialized board in the field of exhibition activity or permanently in the relevant trade unions, according to a specific statute or the arbitration clause in the contracts of participating in the exhibitions, can be a strategy for different methods of resolving intellectual property rights disputes in exhibitions, for Iranian law.