Welcome to the San Diego Chapter!

Upcoming Meetings

Topic:
"The Other IP: A Dirty Dozen Trademark & Copyright Issues for Licensing Professionals"

Location:
Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Cafeteria
7475 Lusk Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92121

In the competitive arena that is intellectual property, much of the attention for high tech and biotech licensing professionals is on the patents battleground - but not so on February 18th at the next LES meeting! On this night we will get a broad overview of another aspect of intellectual property: Trademarks & Copyrights. Our esteemed guest speaker on this night is David P. Branfman of Branfman & Associates, who will share from his wealth of experience from working in industries in which trademarks and copyrights consist of the primary protection: e-commerce, motion pictures and music. The issues to be discussed include:

• Isn't a trademark just a patent's ugly cousin and isn't all the money really in patents?;
• My customers aren't that bright: isn't it better if my name describes my product or service?;
• We're paying all the money and they don't dress well: How come when we hire independent contractors to create copyrighted material for us they claim they own it?; and
• How long is a copyright good for anyway and how did Sonny Bono get involved in deciding that?

Mr. Branfman graduated Cum Laude from Alfred University in New York and received his law degree from the University of San Diego in 1978. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Film Commission from 1998 - January 2000 and is currently a member of the Film Commission Board, is Legal Chair of the San Diego/Southwestern Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a member of the State Bar of California's Intellectual Property Section. He has lectured on entertainment, intellectual property and Internet Law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and on intellectual property and business law at Mira Costa College and The San Diego Career Center.

So come out on Feb 18th for some networking and a lively discussion on Trademarks & Copyrights.

Other Business:
Prior to the presentation, the Chapter will conduct a special election for the 2003-2004 Chair-Elect position. Additional information on this election will be provided under a separate cover.

Additionally, we've begun to make slides from past presentations in the Prior Events section. In this section you will find slides from several past presentation including those of the excellent January 21st meeting on "Doing Business With Academic Institutions". (Thanks again to all those who made that such a great night!)

L.E.S. San Diego Chapter meetings are open to the public. No RSVP required. Cost is $30 (cash or check), which is payable at the door. Networking with hors d'oeuvres and beverages begins at 6 PM. Election to begin at 6:45 PM and presentation to begin immediately afterwards. Please contact Ms. Pattie Greener at PGreener@ligand.com or 858-550-7699 for further information.