LES India Hosts Country’s Finest Gathering of Global Licensing Executives at the LES APAC Conference 2018

Licensing Executives Society (LES) brings together licensing executives in different countries to build a vibrant community focussed on IP licensing and technology transfer, relationships with policy-making bodies, sharing of educational content and success stories in licensing, and advancing the business of IP globally. As part of this endeavour, The Licensing Executives Society India (LES India), along with Lex Witness – India’s 1st Magazine on Legal & Corporate Affairs as the Official Conference Secretariat successfully convened a state-of-the-art 3-day conference – The LES APAC Conference 2018 Nov 11 2018 through Nov 14 2018 at Le Meridien, New Delhi.

With the overarching theme as ‘IP Drives the Bottom Line’, the conference focused on the need for strong IP regimes, licensing challenges and best practices across industries, the impact of technological advancements on IPR and licensing and much more. The conference included eminent speakers, panellists, dignitaries and distinguished guests from different industries, academia, patent offices, government, policy bodies, law firms, and IP, legal and licensing professionals globally.

The conference also included a business plan competition for start-ups and an excursion to The Taj Mahal, Agra.

Chief Guest, Hon’ble Justice Mr. Dipak Misra, Former Chief Justice of India, emphasized on human intelligence as the origin of artificial intelligence (AI) and that AI should not be considered supreme or preferred over human intelligence. He emphasized upon the necessity of awareness and promotion of licensing in the country. While emphasizing the need for IP protection, he stated that where a patent is obtained in public interest, it should not be utilized for individual interest and must cater to public interest. He also stated that a patent cannot stand superior to public welfare.

Hon’ble Justice Mr. Shiva Kirti Singh, Chairperson of Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, in his special address mentioned regarding the role and impact of facilitators in technology transfer and licensing. He further proceeded to acknowledge the importance of IP awareness, stressed on the adverse effects of piracy on the value of an IP and urged for the need of stronger regulations for tackling piracy and counterfeiting. From a judicial viewpoint, he emphasized that the police and executives need to be sensitized in cases where disputes arise with regards to the rights pertaining to intangible property. He further stressed on the necessity of an all-rounded mechanism in order to obtain recognition of rights in the field of IP and concluded by laying stress on the importance of such conferences in order to spread awareness on the ever-rising issues in a field as vast as IP.

Guest of honour, Mr. Rajiv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, DIPP, GoI, addressed the conference and elaborated on key initiatives and steps taken up by the regulatory authority in the field of IP, including expedited process of Patent examination as well as grant of Trade Marks and Copyrights. Apart from artificial intelligence (AI) and Blockchain, he stressed the need for IPR to be included in school education as part of business studies. He also mentioned regarding training programmes being conducted for police officers in India regarding the procedures to be followed in conducting search and seizure with respect to trademark and copyright infringement. He further acknowledged the current challenges faced by Indian businesses and attorneys as related to IP valuation & commercialization. He finally insisted on the part that if the patent is in public interest then there should be full disclosure in the market and briefly discussed compulsory licensing in light of Bayer Vs NATCO case.

The conference proceedings continued with moderators and panellists continuing to engage on important IP and licensing topics related to ‘Transforming the IP Regime Globally”, Artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain and IP licensing, Best Practices for a successful IP Licencing Group, Start-Ups, Innovation and IP, Technology Transfer and Commercialization and much more.

LES APAC Conference 2018 was graciously supported by Anand & Anand, Monsanto, GE, Intel, Saikrishna & Associates, Krishna & Saurastri, Gorodissky, Qualcomm, Finnegan, K&S Partners, SKS Law Associates, LexOrbis, Khurana & Khurana, Bristows, Remfry & Sagar, International Chamber of Commerce, Asia Business Law Journal and India Business Law Journal.

This conference takes forward LES India’s continued focus in driving the overall LES objectives stated above to make a visible impact on IP and licensing in India and in the global ecosystem.