Andrzej Gadkowski
WIPO Service Advisor, Korean Intellectual Property Office
Andrzej Gadkowski
(WIPO Service Advisor, Korean Intellectual Property Office)
Graduated from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland (Ph.D. in Law)
WIPO Service Advisor, Korean Intellectual Propery Office, since October 2024
WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, 2016 - Present
Arbitration Practitioner's Certificate, Swiss Arbitration Academy (2022)
Attorney at Law, Polish Bar (2016)
Q. Please introduce yourself to readers.
Greetings, readers of the Korea Institute of Intellectual Property Webzine. I am Andrzej Gadkowski, the WIPO Service Advisor at the Korean Intellectual Property Office. I am thrilled to be the first WIPO staff member to be dispatched to a WIPO Member State's IP Office, as well as the first staff member from a UN specialized agency to work at a Korean governmental authority. I started my assignment at KIPO's Seoul Office on October 14, and I am excited to introduce myself to you all.
Q. Could you share with the readers the details of your current responsibilities in Seoul and also provide some insight into your previous role at the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center?
With pleasure. As a WIPO Legal Officer dispatched to KIPO, I am involved in various activities aimed at promoting WIPO and its initiatives in the Republic of Korea. I also focus on strengthening the partnership between WIPO and KIPO. Some of my responsibilities include providing consultations for Korean stakeholders on WIPO services, gathering their feedback on WIPO services, participating in outreach activities and capacity building programs, and engaging with various stakeholders in the Korean IP ecosystem.
Prior to my relocation to Seoul, I spent eight years working at WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO Center). Established in 1994, the WIPO Center is a neutral, independent and non-profit dispute resolution provider, specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for IP disputes. It is also the leading global provider of mechanisms to resolve internet domain name disputes. During my time there, I managed cross-border IP and technology-related disputes, developed collaborations with IP Offices and courts worldwide, and contributed to the promotion of WIPO ADR services globally.
Our efforts over the years have produced positive outcomes, as evidenced by the numbers. In 2023, the WIPO Center was involved in the resolution of 679 IP, innovation, and technology disputes, which represents a 24% increase from 2022 and 280% in the last 5 years. Additionally, my colleagues and I participated in over 120 virtual and in-person events with over 12,100 registrants from 163 countries in 2023. I anticipate even higher numbers for 2024. Furthermore, the number of IP ADR collaborations with IP Offices and courts has grown, with over 80 collaborations with national entities so far.
It is worth noting that Korean stakeholders have been present in all these WIPO ADR activities, contributing to the positive outcomes and growth in numbers. During my stay in Seoul, I aim to encourage and motivate even more Korean stakeholders - companies, Universities and R&D Centers, inventors and creators as well as IP professional - to consider and use WIPO ADR services to solve their disputes in a time and cost-efficient way.
Q. Please tell readers about qualifications and experiences to be an official of international organization, such as WIPO.
Let me start with saying that working at WIPO is a highly rewarding experience, offering a multinational and multicultural environment. To become an international civil servant, a strong educational background and relevant work experience are essential. Often, a degree in law, economics, or international relations, with a focus on IP is required. Prior experience in international relations, policy development, or legal affairs is highly valued, and the higher the position, the more years of relevant work experience will be required. What is also valued is fluency in multiple languages: excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential with good knowledge of other language(s) being desirable. Understanding WIPO's mission to promote the protection of IP worldwide and demonstrating a commitment to this cause is crucial. Lastly, soft skills such as communication, ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment and teamwork are highly valued.
Q. Please tell readers about a final message you'd like to leave with them.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share my insights with you and to introduce myself to the readers of the Korea Institute of Intellectual Property Webzine.
I hope that my experiences have provided you with a better understanding of the work that we do at WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center and the qualifications required to become an international civil servant. I encourage anyone interested in similar career path to pursue their passion for IP and international relations and apply to join WIPO.
I look forward to continuing my work in Seoul and to engaging with the Korean IP ecosystem to promote WIPO's initiatives and services. While doing so, I hope having possibility to meet many of you - readers of the Webzine - in person. Thank you again for your interest, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!