The Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center (SVAMC), a not-for-profit “think tank” organization with a global focus that encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution in the technology sector, has established this Task Force on Tech Disputes, Tech Companies & International Arbitration (the “Task Force”). The Task Force, which is led by Paul Cohen, Duarte Henriques and Patricia Shaughnessy, seeks to explore the apparent underrepresentation of global technology companies in the arbitration community. The lack of use of arbitration by this resourceful industry puzzles as arbitration would seem to offer a particularly attractive dispute resolution mechanism for technology company disputes. Unlike litigation, arbitration offers expeditious, private, flexible, effective adjudication by specialized arbitrators resulting in awards enforceable in 162 countries. The Task Force aims to find out why this is so through a comprehensive study using reliable methodologies and engaging in dialog with technology companies and other relevant players in the sector. Through the study and dialog with leaders and lawyers in the tech sector, the arbitration community can learn how to better serve this sector, as well as share needed information about the process and opportunities that arbitration may offer. The Task Force also envisages to offer a bundle of tools that can make the use of arbitration more friendly for those who may be less familiar with its advantages, are accustomed to state court litigation, or have some negative impressions of arbitration.
As a starting point, the Task Force has ventured some initial premises that may underlie the underuse of arbitration by technology companies; these premises are discussed in the White Paper. The Task Force will test and adjust these premises through research, a large-scale survey, and dialog with the tech sector. A diverse working-group of experts representing different backgrounds and regions will be enlisted to carry-out the work. The on-going work of the Task Force will be presented for public discussion and comment to ensure robust review and to enhance collaboration within the arbitration and the technology business communities. The Task Force report will become a public document which can serve to explain and adapt arbitration to technology companies needs and to inform the tech industry about the suitability of arbitration for effectively resolving their disputes.
Authors:
Patricia Shaughnessy
Paul Cohen
Duarte G. Henriques