On April 26th, the Licensing Executives Society will join WIPO to celebrate World IP Day.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 2012 – Daily headlines with news of historic patent deals, the growing innovation gap, piracy crackdowns and international intellectual property (IP) commerce make it clear that intellectual assets are at the epicenter of the global economy. On April 26th, the Licensing Executives Society will join WIPO to celebrate World IP Day with a series of events aimed at connecting IP, licensing and business professionals, as well as entrepreneurially-minded students, across the globe in an effort to move innovation forward.
"Connecting and collaborating with professional colleagues across industries and among allied groups is critical for fostering the innovation that is needed to fuel economic growth around the world," said LES (USA & Canada) President, Tom Filarski. "Our Around the World with LES events will provide opportunities for professional connections that will help to bring new products and services into the marketplace, and ultimately into the hands of consumers for the benefit of all."
In the past two years, LES has hosted more than sixty Around the World with LES (ATW) events, with over 2,000 participants in several countries, and local areas throughout the United States and Canada.
This year, 22 LES chapters in North America will host ATW events in states that include Arizona, Calgary, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montreal, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Ottawa, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Texas, Vancouver, Washington State, Washington DC, and Wisconsin. Internationally, events will be hosted by national societies including LES Australia-New Zealand, LES Austria, LES Arab Countries, LES Brazil, LES Britain-Ireland, LES Czech Republic, LES France, LES Hungary, LES Italy, LES Singapore, and LES Spain-Portugal.
In a message on World Intellectual Property Day, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry said, "World Intellectual Property Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that intellectual property makes to innovation and cultural creation – and the immense good that these two social phenomena bring to the world…. This year the theme of World IP Day is visionary innovators – people whose innovations transform our lives. Their impact is enormous. They can, at times, change the way society operates."
The list of LES events continues to grow with activities ranging from professional networking receptions and valuable education sessions, to career chats and hot topic discussions. The events are open to both member and non-member IP, licensing and business development professionals, as well as to students who are interested in IP and innovation.
"ATW is a key date on the LES calendar as our members comprise the largest professional organization involved in 'Advancing the Business of IP Globally,’" said LESI President James Malackowski. "In 2012 LES expanded its focus on humanitarian technology transfer, furthering the importance of sharing our mission with others around the world."
If you would like more information and/or to register for an Around the World with LES event:
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About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. and LES International (LESI)
Established in 1965, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society comprised of 5,000 members engaged in the transfer, use, development and marketing of intellectual property. The LES membership includes a wide range of professionals, including business executives, lawyers, licensing consultants, engineers, academicians, scientists and government officials.
Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), with a worldwide membership of over 10,000 members in 32 national and regional societies, representing over 90 countries. For more information, visit www.lesusacanada.org or www.lesi.org.