Get Inspired By The World’s Brightest, Most Innovative Leaders At The LES Annual Meeting

Bob Held

President & Chair of the Board, LES (U.S.A. and Canada)

LES members play an essential role in our innovation ecosystem. Every day we are in the trenches, driving all sorts of intellectual property and licensing matters critical to driving the global economy. Whether it be managing the next deal or working on an upcoming merger or patent infringement case, our work matters.

As President and Chairman of LES, I invite you to join me at the LES 2019 Annual Meeting where we can connect and learn from the best while enjoying sunny Phoenix and all that the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has to offer. This year’s meeting will feature more than 70 sessions with more than 100 expert speakers.

We are honored to open the Annual Meeting on Monday, October 21st, with a plenary with Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim. As the former Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Counsel, as well as a member of the Attorney General’s task force on Intellectual Property, he’ll discuss how innovation, legislation, and competition play a role in business, foreign commerce and the current efforts of the Department of Justice Antitrust Division.

At the Tuesday luncheon on October 22nd, we’ll gain new insight on how startups, and those who support them, can leverage their intellectual assets to realize revenue opportunities from Shaloo Garg, managing director, Microsoft for Startups. A champion of innovation, her experience ranges from tech labs and Fortune 500 technology companies to the UN Women community working with startups that contribute to the overall evolution of technology across the world.

Be sure join us for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Fireside Chat Tuesday afternoon with speakers Paul Michel, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Retired; and Scott R. Boalick, Chief Judge for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO). This unique panel will have a frank dialogue on what the PTAB is doing correctly, where it needs to improve, and possible solutions to systemic issues.

On Wednesday morning, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google, Vinton Cerf—known as the “Father of the Internet”—will discuss the importance of harnessing intellectual property to change the landscape of communications and information technology. His diverse expertise from his ground-breaking work to found and develop the Internet will provide a new level of appreciation for understanding our industry and how to grow professionally.

In addition to the keynote speakers,LES sector experts have designed customized tracks with educational sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance engagement and to maximize the meeting’s value for attendees in every sector. Our sessions and educational panels will explore the development and protection of IP commerce, licensing, and current developments of our LES Standards Initiative.

You’ll have an opportunity to meet with sector leaders to discuss the results of LES High Tech Sector, and Life Sciences Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Surveys - an analysis of exclusive findings and compelling trends gleaned from the investigation of thousands of licensing agreements.

Each year at the LES Annual meeting, LES presents the LES Deals of Distinction Award and the LES Frank Barnes Award. The LES Deals of Distinction Award is presented to companies that orchestrated the year’s most outstanding licensing and business deals in each sector. Several key dealmakers will be on hand to provide insights on their winning deals. The Frank Barnes Award is presented to a LES member who, like Mr. Barnes, has dedicated considerable time and energy to mentoring fellow licensing professionals. Sponsored by the LES Foundation, the award honors Frank Barnes, Corporate Vice President for Abbott Laboratories, who passed away on June 2000 after a long fight with cancer. Frank’s contributions to Abbott through his in-licensing prowess are legendary, earning the company billions of dollars annually. An early supporter of LES, Frank mentored dozens of licensing executives who continue to make important contributions throughout the pharmaceutical industry.

What I always enjoy most about the conference is the opportunity to network and share knowledge with the best and the brightest from across the IP and licensing industry—from IP professionals and lawyers to entrepreneurs, academics and technology professionals. On behalf of all us at LES, I would like to give special thanks to our 2019 Annual Meeting sponsors, media partners and especially the hard work of the planning committee.

I look forward to making lasting, valuable connections with all of you! And if you haven’t already, be sure to register for the conference at https://lesmeetings.org/.

Sincerely,

Bob Held