It is not entirely uncommon for disputes to arise between two or more parties during a business transaction. Not only can such circumstances be quite frustrating from a logistical point of view, but they may also cost the associated stakeholders a significant amount of money in terms of extensive legal fees. This is when a professional mediator will often come in handy. However, it is important to note that the traditional roles of many businesses are beginning to change thanks to the presence of the online community. Modern B2B ecommerce operations might require entirely innovative solutions if a dispute is expected to be resolved in a timely manner. What are some of the most common reasons for a disagreement and what advancements within the mediation industry can we expect to witness over the coming years?
The Concept of Intellectual Property
One of the most common reasons for a disagreement to arise involves the issue of intellectual property. Copyright infringement, plagiarism and brand identity disputes will often fall into this category. Such situations should come as no great surprise when we consider the fact that a growing number of freelancers and entrepreneurs are now present within the virtual B2B and B2C environment. It only stands to reason that disagreements will take place from time to time.
The main issue is that the entire concept of intellectual property is rather new within the legal community. Thus, some of its parameters are still being defined on a case-by-case basis. Another problem is that businesses located thousands of miles apart may possess neither the time nor the resources to pursue such disputes through the use of traditional methods. This is why a mediator will frequently be required so that both parties can come to some sort of amicable agreement.
The Rise of Virtual Mediation Services
While the situations mentioned above may seem to be rather straightforward, how can a mediator be of assistance if it is not possible for business representatives to schedule a face-to-face meeting? One of the most interesting answers to this question can be seen in the notion of a remote mediation service. In other words, a third party will act as a liaison between two or more entities through the use of virtual technology such as private chat sessions and online group discussions. While all individuals involved will still be provided with the necessary insight and clarity, the need to physically appear at a specific location is no longer present. Thus, a great deal of time and money can be saved while all participants can still to come to a reasonable resolution.
These types of remote services are becoming commonplace throughout the Internet. Whether referring to a chat assistant when purchasing a product or a webinar intended to introduce a new product to clients, the importance of the virtual community cannot be denied. It therefore makes perfect sense that many firms are now offering real-time mediation services via virtual connectivity. This trend should continue to expand well into the future.