Let\u27s Make a Deal: Negotiating Resolution of Intellectual Property Disputes Through Mandatory Mediation at the Federal Circuit, 6 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 365 (2007)

In 2006, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit implemented a mandatory mediation program for parties in all counseled cases, including intellectual property disputes. This program offers the parties incentives to settle, such as providing neutral mediators with intellectual property expertise at no cost to the litigants. This article explains how the Federal Circuit’s Mediation Program works and provides an overview of the Guidelines. This article concludes that the Federal Circuit firmly stands behind the mandatory mediation program for intellectual property disputes and believes the process can only serve to benefit all parties involved