Hot Topics: Eric Topol on Convergence of Life Sciences and High Tech; Top Judges Assess Patent Environments and Reforms; Is There a Patent Bubble? AIA and Prometheus; Freedom to Operate; IP’s Role in Rebuilding Economies

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2012 –Evolutionary shifts in the intellectual property (IP) space spurred by billion-dollar patent wars, the perilous patent cliff, and fallout from both the America Invents Act and controversial Prometheus decision have many professionals wondering what is required to survive and thrive in this rapidly-changing landscape. More than 1,000 of the world’s leading IP, licensing and business development leaders will find answers at the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. Annual Meeting October 14-17 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

“This is a defining time for our industry,” said LES (USA & Canada) President Thomas Filarski. “And my colleagues in the field are unrelenting in their quest for inspired perspectives, cutting-edge strategies and tools, and the latest trends and information to maximize their productivity and success in the marketplace. The Annual Meeting will offer all of these things and more. It is unquestionably the premier licensing event of the year.”

Speakers and attendees of the meeting will include executives and thought leaders from top companies, research institutions, government labs and other technology-oriented organizations including Acacia, ARPA-E, Boeing, Bose, Eli Lilly, Cornell University, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Microsoft, Lawrence Livermore National Lab, National Institutes of Health, Procter & Gamble, Research in Motion, Tessera, University of Toronto and others.

Attendees will select from an array of networking events, leading edge interactive plenary, cross-sector and mini-plenary discussions, as well as over 40 workshops that promote industry-specific education. “We have designed a program that is interactive, diverse and relevant to all sectors of the IP, licensing, business development and technology law communities,” said LES Annual Meeting Co-Chair Tim Lowman. “Our goal is to maximize content offerings to allow attendees to customize their experience and to meet their professional needs and interests.” Click here for the meeting program, and visit www.les2012.org/podcast to hear event co-chairs Tim Lowman and Gary Fedorockho discuss highlights and new features of the 2012 Annual Meeting.

Select Meeting Highlights:
Called the “Most Influential Physician Executive in Health Care” by Modern Healthcare, “Doctor of the Decade” by the Institute for Scientific Information, and a “Rock Star of Science” by GQ Magazine, renowned cardiologist, genetic researcher and technologist Dr. Eric Topol is leading the movement to modernize medical treatment using the latest technologies. In a keynote address, “Connecting & Collaborating: The Convergence of Life Sciences and High Tech,” Dr. Topol will share his vision for the future and discuss the complicated implications of change.

“Carving Out Your Commercial Space – Strategies and Trade Offs” Securing necessary space to implement corporate product and marketing strategies (freedom to operate) can be challenging.
Innovative crowd-sourcing will assemble a virtual ‘town hall meeting’ to extract broad-scale input on this important topic from both on- and off-site attendees. Attend On-site or Virtually!

“Is High Tech Crazy? Are We Experiencing a Patent Bubble?” Rockstar Bidco and Nortel, Motorola and Google, Microsoft and AOL -- will this trend end or are deals like these here to stay? Are these transactions speculative or part of a new strategy for doing business that could be applied to other sectors? An all-star panel will bring a diverse and compelling set of perspectives to this debate.

“Benches Unleashed: Judicial Views on Fixing the System” Outspoken Honourable JudgeRoger Hughes of the Federal Court of Canada and ever-candid Honorable Paul Michel, retired Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will discuss Canadian and U.S. patent environments in a global context, and raise and address issues they perceive will positively or negatively impact inventiveness over the next decade.

“The Role of IP in Rebuilding Economies Following the Arab Spring” Secretary of State of Investment & International Cooperation Alaya Bettaieb will discuss road maps for economic recovery of post-revolution North Africa following a year of turmoil. Specifically Mr. Bettaieb will focus on the role of partnerships and IP-based developments in rebuilding economies.

“How Outcomes of Patent Fights have Changed the Course of History” History books focus on the value of inventions in bettering society, but what if the rights associated with cornerstone inventions like the cotton gin, light bulb and telegraph had been treated differently? University of Rhode Island Professor Emeritus of History Maury Klein will explain the significance of key historical patent decisions.

Register for the meeting by July 31 and save $200. Visit www.les2012.org.

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About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society comprised of nearly 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. Many large corporations, professional firms, and universities comprise the Society's membership.

Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada), Inc. is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), with a worldwide membership of more than 10,000 members in 32 national societies, representing over 90 countries. For more information on LES, see www.lesusacanada.org.