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From Hangzhou to San Diego, the LES community is on the move this week! Licensing professionals convene for the LES China Annual Conference and industry meetings, while LESI joins the EPO for another High-Growth Technology Business Forum session: “IP Strategy Evolution: From Start-up to Scale-up,” featuring Ruth Mackey, CEO & Co-Founder of MBRYONICS.
Then, starting Sunday, October 18, LES USA-Canada will be “Keeping Licensing Classy in San Diego”—bringing colleagues from across the global LES network together for expertise, insight and a little California sunshine. Next stop: Seoul, Korea, for the LES Asia Pacific Conference, hosted by the LESI Asia Pacific Committee and LES Korea, October 25–26, with the YMC Asia Pacific Conference the day before.
Take a look at what’s coming up—and find your next opportunity to sharpen your skills, build business connections and catch up with LES friends!
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LES China
"Annual Conference: Smart Hangzhou - Empowering Global IP Licensing"
Tuesday-Wednesday, 13-14 October 2026
HANGZHOU, CHINA
LES China are proud to host its 2026 Annual Conference in Hangzhou, China with the theme “Smart Hangzhou - Empowering Global IP Licensing” on October 13 - 14, 2026.
Join them to:
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Track Global Innovation Trends – Discover cutting-edge developments reshaping IP licensing worldwide.
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Learn from the Best – Gain actionable insights from policymakers and industry leaders on IP licensing practice.
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Expand Your Network – Connect with representatives from top tech companies and global licensing professionals to have a better view of IP commercialization landscape in China and unlock new commercialization opportunities.
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Experience Hangzhou – Immerse yourself in a timeless city where poetic heritage blends seamlessly with dynamic modern vitality.
View draft program here.
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LES USA-Canada
"UNH Chapter-Trademark and Brand Licensing"
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
11:30am - 12:30pm (EDT)
ONLINE / CONCORD, NH, USA
Join LES USA-Canada's UNH School of Law Chapter for a hybrid practical discussion on trademark and brand licensing.
They will be joined by Erica Han, Partner at Ropes & Gray LLP and Co-Chair of the Consumer and Retail Brands Industry Group. Hear about Erica's career journey from in-house IP counsel to partner of Ropes & Gray. Learn from Erica's extensive experience in trademarks, brand strategy, licensing, sponsorships, collaborations, and other complex IP transactions.
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LESI & EPO
"IP Strategy Evolution: High-Growth Technology Business Forum"
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
11:30am - 12:30pm (EDT)
ONLINE / CONCORD, NH, USA
IP is a key value driver at any stage of a technology-driven business, no matter if you are a startup, a growth business, or ready to exit. In this fifth anniversary edition of the HTB forum series our expert panel will contribute and discuss lessons learned from a variety of business decision makers with a global perspective. A special focus is placed on the business perspective of IP impact across all stages of the life cycle of a technology company, with clear take-away messages for participants.
Using real life cases, business experts present and discuss real life cases and the challenges they have had to overcome, delving into the role and importance of intellectual assets. Each case study provides practical key takeaways, especially for business decision-makers, on how to advance their business with intellectual assets as key value drivers.
These activities are developed by the European Patent Office (EPO) in collaboration with LESI.
VIEW THE PROGRAM HERE.
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LES USA-Canada
"Annual Meeting: Keeping Licensing Classy in San Diego"
Sunday-Tuesday, 18-21 October 2026
SAN DIEGO, CA, USA
Discover Innovation at the LES 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego!
LES USA-Canada are excited to welcome you to sun-soaked San Diego, home to one of the world’s most dynamic hubs for biotechnology, life sciences, and cutting-edge research. You’ll be steps away from leading labs, thriving startup incubators, and the waterfront that inspires breakthrough ideas. While the primary location is San Diego, inspiration will be drawn from neighboring Los Angeles, with select sessions exploring how LA’s aerospace innovation and media industries intersect with IP trends.
Building on the rich tradition of LES annual gatherings, the 2026 meeting will deliver in-depth content, unmatched networking, and a spirit of fun. Whether you’re new to licensing or a seasoned expert, you’ll find keynotes, panel discussions, roundtables, and hands-on workshops designed to help you stay ahead in today’s fast-moving IP landscape. You’ll gain fresh insights into strategic partnerships for IP development and market growth, with real-world perspectives from industry leaders.
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LESI Young Members Congress (YMC) & LES Korea
"2026 Asia Pacific Conference: Navigating the Next Generation of IP Licensing"
Saturday, 24 October 2026
9:30am - 6:00pm (KST)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
LES Korea and LESI YMC are thrilled to welcome you to Seoul, a vibrant metropolis where skyscrapers meet street markets.
As rapid technological advancements reshape how intellectual property is created, protected, and monetized, Asian economies have taken center stage in driving the next wave of global innovation. Navigating this evolving landscape demands fresh perspectives, cross-border collaboration, and modern licensing frameworks.
Join for a day of incisive panel discussions, strategic insights, and knowledge sharing. Afterwards, unwind at the YMC social to experience Korean culture and cuisine, network with global peers, and enjoy the city’s warm hospitality.
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LESI Asia Pacific Committee & LES Korea
"2026 Asia Pacific Conference: IP in Motion, from K-Creativity to Global Prosperity!"
Sunday-Monday, 25-26 October 2026
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
On behalf of LES Korea, we are excited to share that the 2026 LES APAC Conference will be held on October 25-26, 2026 in Seoul, Korea under the inspiring theme: “IP in Motion, from K-Creativity to Global Prosperity!”
This event will bring together global IP leaders, professionals, IP strategists, SVC providers, and innovation leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond to discuss the role of IP in driving innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness. The program includes multiple panel discussions sharing experiences and insights and strengthening collaboration within the global licensing community.
Highlights include:
- Networking with LESI’s global IP leaders at Asia-Pacific’s premier licensing event
- Sessions on IP transactions, monetization, and dispute resolution
- Exploration of Korea’s creativity powering global industries
- Cultural programs to experience Seoul’s unique blend of tradition and innovation
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LES Singapore
"Basic Licensing Course"
Tuesday-Wednesday, 3-4 November 2026
SINGAPORE
Understand aspects of the licensing of intellectual property (IP) – particularly for trade marks, copyright, patents, and registered designs – at the LES Singapore Basic Licensing Course 2026!
Organised together with Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the programme will cover the various principles and procedures involved in licensing negotiations. Learn how to effectively apply them in practice, through a “hands-on” scenario.
The basic course covers materials useful to experienced licensing professionals, including pointers for structuring a deal.
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LES Singapore
"Intermediate Licensing Course"
Tuesday-Wednesday, 3-4 November 2026
SINGAPORE
Understand aspects of the licensing of intellectual property (IP) – particularly for trade marks, copyright, patents, and registered designs – at the LES Singapore Intermediate Licensing Course 2026!
Organised together with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the programme will cover the various principles and procedures involved in licensing negotiations.
Participants are encouraged to attend the intermediate course if participant has attended the Basic Licensing Course and has 1 year IP or 1 year of research experience or if participant has 5 years negotiation experience.
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LES France
"Annual SEPs and FRAND Conference"
Tuesday, 3 November 2026
2:15pm - 7:15pm (CET)
PARIS, FRANCE
9th Edition of The Annual SEPs and FRAND Conference - co-organized by APEB and LES France.
Sessions include:
- Presentation from ClaimsEvidence
- Round table – The Brokering of SEP Licenses: From Patent Broker to Deal Broker?
- Presentation from Invention Co
- Round table – SEP licenses, FRAND litigation, trade law and extraterritorial reach
- Judges’ roundtable
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LES USA-Canada
"Patent Licensing - Case Law Update & Arbitration Clauses"
Thursday, 5 November 2026
5:30pm - 7:30pm (MST)
PHOENIX, AZ, USA
A professor of IP law at ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and a patent attorney, Tyson Winarski brings the perspective of a professional who has both practiced and taught patent licensing, testified as a licensing expert, and written extensively on the subject. He is also an inventor with more than 52 patents and was named to the IAM Strategy 300 in 2025 and 2026.
Join LES USA-Canada's Phoenix Chapter for a practical look at patent licensing developments and what they mean for IP professionals.
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LES USA-Canada
"Enforcing IP in the Exo-Economy (Licensing in Space)"
Tuesday, 10 November 2026
4:00pm - 5:30pm (EST)
ONLINE
Strategies for Ownership, Jurisdiction, and Assertive Licensing in Space Operations
As the commercial space sector expands into a thriving off-world market, asserting and enforcing intellectual property beyond Earth presents unprecedented legal, jurisdictional, and operational hurdles.
"Enforcing IP in the Exo-Economy (Licensing in Space)" brings together leading experts from legal academia, civil space, national research facilities, and commercial NewSpace pioneers to explore how organizations can secure freedom-to-operate, enforce patents in orbit, and execute assertive licensing strategies across international boundaries.
Featuring perspectives from NASA Johnson Space Center, the Ole Miss Center for Air and Space Law, Relativity Space, former SpaceX counsel, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, this session will offer critical insights for protecting baseline space technology, managing jurisdictional ambiguity, and safeguarding off-world innovation as space operations scale.
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LES Switzerland & LES Germany
"Development and License Agreements in Life Sciences"
Thursday, 12 November 2026
8:30am - 6:00pm (CET)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND
Join on 12 November 2026 in Basel for a seminar dedicated to designing robust development and license agreements and managing risks across the lifecycle of life sciences collaborations.
The seminar is organized by LES Switzerland in cooperation with LES Germany.
Bringing together senior in-house legal counsel from global pharmaceutical innovators, a member of the Swiss Competition Commission, and leading practitioners, the program explores both strategic deal making and practical risk allocation.
Sessions address key challenges across the collaboration lifecycle, including:
- Structuring deal architecture and long-term governance;
- Drafting dispute-proof financial clauses (upfronts, milestones, royalties, etc.);
- Allocating ownership and access rights to IP, improvements and data;
- Navigating termination and exit rights, post-termination mechanics, and party insolvency;
- Reviewing Swiss and EU competition law trends;
- Resolving complex disputes arising out of license and development agreements.
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LES USA-Canada
"Unfettered Invention-How the X Patents Sparked America's Technology"
Thursday, 12 November 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm (EST)
ONLINE
Dr. Julie Burke, PhD. (Founder, IP Quality Pro, and former USPTO Patent Examiner) in her new book 'Unfettered Invention, How the X Patents Sparked Early American Technology' reveals hundreds of lost 19th-century patent records and uncovers the original downfall of the original U.S. Patent Office: severe underfunding, fixed fees, and a refusal to adopt modern tools.
Today, the USPTO faces these same administrative traps as it struggles under a massive backlog. Instead of fixing its fragile, legacy IT systems, agency leadership is rushing to layer automated search engines on top of a broken foundation. Bound by an applicant-fee model, the agency lacks the direct funding that other federal branches use to rebuild basic infrastructure. By ignoring the historical lessons of 1836, the USPTO risks replacing a physical disaster with a modern, digital failure.
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LES USA-Canada
"When Everyone Has AI, What Sets Your Company Apart?"
Thursday, 12 November 2026
11:00am - 2:00pm (PST)
MENLO PARK, CA, USA
AI is changing how new technology gets developed, from software and chip design to drug discovery and materials. That raises new questions about what is worth patenting, how to protect it, and what makes a patent portfolio commercially valuable.
Join the LES USA-Canada Silicon Valley Chapter for a panel on how patent strategy should evolve with AI-driven innovation. Panelists include executives from Google and other AI and IP leaders. The panel will look at how AI is reshaping patent search, drafting, and prosecution, and address the larger question: how do you turn faster innovation into lasting competitive advantage?
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LES USA-Canada
"Licensing & Valuation in Action:
From Deal to Dispute - Navigating IP Resolution and Litigation Damages"
Thursday, 12 November 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm (EST)
NEW YORK, NY, USA
Building on the previous session focused on structuring agreements to avoid disputes, this next installment explores the realities of what happens when deal negotiations break down and parties must navigate deadlocks, dispute resolution, or full-scale litigation.
Panelists will share practical strategies for alternative dispute resolution, including the use of neutral intermediaries to find low-cost ways out of complex valuation disagreements. The panel will also explore IP litigation damages, sharing case studies on how valuation models must sharpen to hold up under evidentiary standards like Daubert. Guidance will be provided on how to translate these litigation methodologies into practical valuation insights for every day, out-of-court deal-making and licensing.
Speakers:
- Candice Cornelius, Managing Director, Stout
- Steve Holzen, Managing Director, Stout
- David Yurkewish, Senior Managing Director, Ankura
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To get the most out of the Licensing Executives Society International, active participation in the activities and events of the Licensing Executives Society International is a must. And what better way to do that than to join a Committee and to participate in its events and activities.
The LESI Industry, Professional and Regional Committees are open to any LES member worldwide and the Committees are always looking for new talent to support and drive forward the objectives of the Licensing Executives Society International.
Join an LESI Committee
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If you have any questions about the events or joining a committee,
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