In This Issue Return to LES Home LES Spring Meeting: Hot IP Topics Featured In Atlanta President's Message: The Licensed Patent Challenge CLP Design Team Seeks Your Input New Alliances Lead To Breakthrough Webinars Sector Spotlight Chemicals, Energy and Materials Sector: CEMC Activities At LES Winter Meeting High Technology Sector: New Digital Content Committee Kicks Off At Winter Meeting Biomedical Devices Committee Inaugural Meeting In San Francisco Healthcare Sector: Reality Check: What Has Pharma Really Been Paying For Alliances? Mass Collaboration In Licensing: Is Wikinomics For You? LES Winter Meeting: Supreme Court Ruling Creates "Buzz" At Winter Meeting LES Local Chapter Minnesota: A Member Friendly Chapter Julius Vida Honored With Mentor Award Microsoft VP Issues A Call To Arms For New Voices In The IP Reform Debate PTO is calling... LES Annual Meeting: Change And The New Deal LES Calendar of Events		Hot IP Topics Featured In Atlanta LES Spring Meeting • Atlanta, Georgia • May 16-18, 2007 Something hot is happening in Atlanta this spring: hot topics, dynamic dealmaking, innovative education and lively networking. Join licensing executives from around the U.S. and Canada in Atlanta, Georgia, for the LES Spring Meeting, May 16-18. The theme, "Licensing in the Era of Intellectual Property Revolution," will focus on the role intellectual property plays in society. Brian Oliver Meeting Chair Brian Oliver says, "The quality of the program—from plenary speakers to add-ons to workshops— is first class and provides something for everybody." The Program Committee, comprised of Ross Epstein, Les Goff, Bob Goldman and Mike Martin, has put together a world-class learning event that begins with valuable industry focused Add-On Seminars and continues with plenary sessions and workshops that will take your understanding of licensing to a new level. In addition, the Licensing Foundation Graduate Student Competition will be in full swing and the anticipated Tech Fair will highlight the latest products and services available from fellow LES members and their firms. Hot Plenary Sessions & Workshops Thursday's lineup will begin with Matthew Emmens, CEO at Shire Pharmaceuticals. Matthew's keynote address, "Licensing Specialty Pharma: The Views of an Industry Leader," will draw on his extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically his knowledge of in-licensing practices that have resulted in Shire's remarkable growth. Following Mr. Emmens, a distinguished panel will shed light on the varied approaches to generating a return on intellectual property—from those that are truly revolutionary deal structures to those creating more hype than dollars. Panelists include John B. Hall, Managing Director Commercial Finance, General Electric; Michael Lasinski, Managing Director, Ocean Tomo; William Marino, Partner and General Counsel, Altitude Capital; and Raymond P. Niro, Senior Partner, Niro Scavone, Haller & Niro. Enjoy Atlanta in the springtime! Thursday afternoon will shift into high gear with G. Spencer Lueders, Jr., Esq., Competition and Patent Counsel for NASCAR. Mr. Lueders will discuss the importance of licensing agreements to the NASCAR business model, and NASCAR's unique approach to product and technology licensing among their teams. On Friday, "A New Model in Research University Economic Development" frames another hot topic in which G. Wayne Clough, Ph.D., President of Georgia Institute of Technology, addresses the issues of innovation and competitiveness confronting Atlanta, the Southeast, and the U.S. Hank Barry, Director of the Business Department at Howard, Rice, Nemerovski, Canady, Falk & Rabkin, will follow with an examination of how instant worldwide authorship, the integration of developing economies and worldwide IP law reform will affect intellectual property in the next ten years. Friday morning's plenary session will conclude with a panel discussion, "LES Specialty Pharma Summit: Financing, Finding Deals and IP Protection for Recycled Products." David Pierson, Intersouth Partners; Daniel White, Vice President of Corporate Development at Alimera Sciences; Michael Yoemans, Senior Vice President of BioVail; and, Joseph Zakrzewski, Chief Operating Officer at Reliant Pharmaceuticals, will tackle your questions on identifying new products, productive partnerships, financing specialty pharma, and intellectual property/exclusivity strategies. A variety of interactive workshops will be offered both days and are sponsored by the following sectors: Chemicals, Energy & Materials, Health Care, Consumer Products, High Technology and Industry, University & Government Laboratory Transactions. There will also be a Professional Development Series Intermediate Level Workshop offered during each afternoon session. PDS 203 (Valuation) Workshop and PDS (Ethics) Workshop are open to all meeting participants, with advanced registration required. Celebrate Atlanta The LES meeting venue in Buckhead provides easy access to Atlanta's best shopping, dining, arts and culture. A Wednesday night Welcome Reception will invite you to a wine tasting and a chance to catch up with LES meeting companions. Additional scheduled networking opportunities will provide plenty of opportunity to share stories, swap ideas and enjoy! Tours and hospitality will also be provided for accompanying persons. For reservations at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead, call 1-800-633-7313 or go online to http://grandatlanta.hyatt.com. Be sure to identify yourself as an LES Spring Meeting attendee. For complete meeting details and registration, the 2007 Spring Meeting Brochure is available in downloadable form and can be accessed at www.LESspring2007.org. Come to Atlanta and get in on the hottest game in town at the LES (USA & Canada) Spring Meeting. Sponsorship Opportunities: It's not too late to consider sponsorship in Atlanta. LES sponsorship is one of the best ways to ensure your participation in this popular Spring Meeting. Single event sponsorship brings your firm front and center with these benefits: recognition on the Web site with your logo linked to your organization's site, recognition in the onsite guides, name and/or logo recognition on signage at the registration desk; one complimentary Meeting Registration, the opportunity to place a promotional item or flyer in registration bags, special sponsor ribbons to anyone attending the meeting from your organization, and a place for a tabletop display at the Tech Fair. All this for $3,500. Check out the details by going to www.usa-canada.les.org/pdfs/LES_Sponsorship07.pdf or contact Eleanor de Leon at edeleon@les.org or by phone at 703-836-3106.
Copyright© 2007 Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.