Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Licensing Executives Society?

Established in 1966, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society comprised of over 5,000 members engaged in the transfer, use, development, manufacture 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. and Canada), Inc. is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), with a worldwide membership of over 11,000 members in 30 national societies, representing over 80 countries.

LES Members Represent:

• Corporate Licensing Offices
• Financial Services/Venture Capital Firms
• Government Agencies or Laboratories
• Industrial Corporations
• Law Firms
• Research Institutes or Laboratories
• University Licensing Offices

• Consumer Products
• Energy, Chemicals, Petrochemicals and Polymers
• Health Care
• Financial Markets
• Government, University and Industry
• High Technology
• Transportation and Mechatronics

• Networking: LES members enjoy formal and informal opportunities to share information on best practices, trends and the latest licensing resources. With more than 30 local chapters in key technology transfer centers throughout the U.S. and Canada, LES offers a full calendar of education and networking events. Through meetings, educational programs, and ongoing contact, LES brings together a broad range of licensing professionals with common interests and similar professional goals. LES provides members with the ability to respond to a changing business environment, through annual and seasonal meetings. These networking opportunities are open to all, with LES members receiving substantial discounts.

• Education: Besides outstanding meetings, LES offers two main types of educational programs each year, the Technology Transfer Seminars and the Professional Development Series. Both programs attract individuals and teams span a wide spectrum of job functions and industries and provide an abundance of the premier education opportunities for which LES is know. For more information on these programs, please visit Education.

• Directory: The LESI Membership Directory is an essential desktop reference for all licensing professionals. Members have complete contact information for licensing professionals worldwide at their finger tips in the office or on travel. The membership directory CD-ROM is published annually and a printed version is also available to members.

• les Nouvelles: The quarterly journal of the Licensing Executives Society International is the worldwide journal on licensing. Articles written by LES members from around the globe provide timely insight into changes, trends and practices. Every issue of les Nouvelles, since its inception in 1965, is available in a fully text searchable database of the LES (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. Web site.

• Viewpoints: The quarterly LES newsletter, Viewpoints, features the latest on local and national Society activities, as well as dates for future events, upcoming educational programs, important reminders and deadlines. The current issue of Viewpoints and back issues are accessible in the Members Only section of the Web site.

• Web Site: The LES (U.S.A. and Canada) Web site offers valuable information for current and prospective members. Visitors to the Web site can find information on upcoming meetings and education courses and local chapter events.

• Members Only Section: In the Members Only section, members can read and search the archives of les Nouvelles, the LES leading technology transfer and licensing journal, as well as Viewpoints, the Members quarterly newsletter. A very popular area of the Members Only section is the up-to-date nationwide Job Bank where current job positions available throughout U.S.A. and Canada may be found. Members can choose to be notified via email when jobs are posted in the Job Bank. A Resume Bank is also available for members to post their resumes, and for employers to search and find their ideal candidate. In addition to these resources, the Members Only section provides LES committee information and prior LES event information. Access to all online information is available to members at no additional cost.

Applications are available online, via mail, or can be downloaded from the Web site. Once the application and payment for dues is received by the LES office, applicants will receive a confirmation letter in about two weeks. If the application is incomplete, it will be returned with a letter from the LES office explaining the problem.

Complete applications are sent by the LES office to the Trustee for New Membership for approval. The process takes approximately two to three weeks after the completed application is received. An acceptance letter and membership packet is sent to welcome the new member and the online Membership Directory is updated to include the member's affiliation and contact information.

4. Where is the LES office located?

Contact the LES staff at:

Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 280
Alexandria, VA 22314-2840 USA
Phone: 703-836-3106
Fax: 703-836-3107
Email: info@les.org