Late in July, two long-time business partners – The Shelter Company (a modular structure specialist) and Steward’s Solution (an F&B and hospitality solutions provider) – successfully resolved a high-stakes patent dispute through mediation at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Singapore.
The Shelter Company, exclusive licensee of the Singapore patent for its “Tubelar” modular structures, accused Steward’s Solution of infringing its patent after the latter deployed alternative structures at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2024. Steward’s Solution countered with claims of patent invalidity and groundless threats. What had once been a strong partnership (2009–2023) was now strained by rising costs and diverging business needs.
The Mediation Process
Rather than fight it out in court, the parties turned to the WIPO-ASEAN Mediation Programme (AMP+), which also offered partial cost reimbursement. This program is also managed by the IP Office of Singapore (IPOS). Over an eight-and-a-half-hour session, mediator Jonathan Agmon guided the parties through joint discussions and private “shuttle sessions,” exploring both legal and commercial concerns.
Crucially, both sides expressed openness to continue working together if commercial terms were fair. The mediator highlighted that the companies were not competitors but complementary businesses, shifting the focus from conflict to collaboration. With skilled facilitation, the parties reached common ground and signed a settlement agreement before the end of the day.
Challenges and Breakthroughs
-
New concerns emerged during opening statements, requiring creative solutions.
-
Parties struggled over valuation gaps, but compromise was achieved by focusing on business synergies and litigation risks.
-
Emotional exchanges were reframed constructively, keeping the dialogue productive.
Reflections and Impact
The mediation underscored that litigation is often costly, uncertain, and relationship-damaging, while mediation provides space for candid dialogue and innovative solutions. Both sides noted they would strongly consider mediation again—even without funding support.
The case also demonstrated that even complex patent disputes can be effectively settled outside of court, provided parties focus on future opportunities rather than past grievances.
Conclusion
This success story shows how mediation can bridge business, legal, and emotional divides, turning potential fractures into constructive resolutions. For businesses, especially in IP-heavy industries, mediation offers a cost-effective, time-efficient, and relationship-preserving alternative to litigation.
Special thanks to IPOS, WIPO (Calbe Goh) and the Shadow Mediator, Ms Nillaa K Pillay.
For the Full Decision Report (published as The Shelter Company Pte Ltd & Steward’s Solution Pte Ltd, [2025] AMP+ MED 2) see here.
