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We’re easing back into work-mode!! As summer winds down in the Northern Hemisphere, the LES calendar is warming up—and there is plenty ahead. August offers a great mix of opportunities to reconnect, learn, and sharpen your skills: LES USA-Canada gets us outdoors with the Silicon Valley Chapter’s networking hike and then tackles Right to Repair and the circular economy; LES South Africa dives into IP valuation; and LES Singapore brings a different approach to strategic IP decision-making through a “serious game” workshop and their annual "IP Week" events.
And consider August just the warm-up. September will bring a packed calendar of LES events around the world, including LES Society Annual Conferences, training programs, and discussions spanning valuation, licensing, competition law, patent monetization, leadership, trade, security, and innovation. Whether online or in person - from Oslo to London and Çeşme - there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with the global LES community.
So, enjoy the remaining days of summer—but take a look at the calendar and start planning your LES fall! And, consider joining an LESI Committee as they start organizing their plans for the coming year!
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LES USA-Canada
"Explore Nature and Network with LES-SVC"
Wednesday, 19 August 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm (PDT)
PORTOLA VALLEY, CA, USA
Calling all hikers! Take a break from the office and lace up your hiking boots or tennis shoes to explore the beautiful Arastradero Preserve trails.
Join LES USA-Canada's Silicon Valley Chapter on a fun hike then move to Rossotti’s Alpine Inn in Portola Valley for a social get-together.
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LES USA-Canada
"Navigating Right to Repair in the Circular Economy:
Intellectual Property, Sustainability and Innovation"
Thursday, 20 August 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm (EDT)
ONLINE
As right-to-repair initiatives gain momentum worldwide, businesses must navigate the evolving intersection of intellectual property rights, product sustainability, and circular economy objectives. This webinar (hosted by LES USA-Canada) explores the legal and commercial boundaries between permissible repair and impermissible reconstruction, highlights recent developments in U.S. and EU law, and examines how companies can leverage intellectual property to support innovation while extending product lifecycles.
Attendees will gain practical insights into emerging legislation, landmark court decisions, and strategic considerations for managing repair, aftermarket services, and sustainability initiatives in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Speakers:
Karthika Perumal, PhD - Office Managing Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
Aaron Massuda - Associate, Womble Bond Dickinson LLP
Shiju Thomas - FCIPS
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LES South Africa
"IP Valuation Course: Block 1"
Monday-Wednesday, 24-26 August 2026
GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA
For the first time in South Africa, Licensing Executives Society South Africa (LES SA) and National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) proudly present the globally recognised Association for Management and Valuation of Intangibles (AMAVI) IP Valuation Certification Course.
This game-changing programme sets the leading international standard for IP valuation professionals — equipping practitioners, corporate leaders and finance experts with the skills to become certified IP valuators and confidently unlock the true value of intangible assets.
Block 1: 24-26 August 2026 | Gauteng
Block 2: 30 September-2 October 2026 | Western Cape
Block 3: 16-18 November 2026 | Gauteng
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LES Singapore
"LES SG x House of Knowledge Workshop: Strategic IP Decision Making Through a Serious Game"
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
2:00pm - 5:30pm (SGT)
SINGAPORE
Back by popular demand, Licensing Executives Society Singapore, in collaboration with House of Knowledge and with the support of Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), is pleased to present the second run of an interactive, in‑person workshop focused on strategic decision‑making around intellectual property in research and innovation environments.
This session will be delivered through War Room – University Edition, a facilitated serious game designed to encourage discussion, analysis, and hands‑on learning.
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LES Britain-Ireland
"Practical Lessons in Trade Mark Licensing"
Thursday, 3 September 2026
12:30pm - 1:30pm (BST)
ONLINE
Join LES B&I and Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) for this insightful session covering the fundamentals of trade mark licensing.
There’s no such thing as “standard terms” when it comes to licenses. While templates can be a great starting point for crafting agreements, this webinar will support you in making your own judgements.
Drawing on her transactional and litigation experience, Rose Smalley-Gordon of Womble Bond Dickinson will take you through the core pillars of licensing and what happens across a licence’s full life cycle – from royalties through to enforcement.
Along the way, you’ll pick up practical tips on due diligence, warranties and indemnities to ensure you get the right protection. Whether you’re advising clients directly or supporting a filing strategy, this session will sharpen your practical knowledge and give you more confidence to adapt templates to the situation at hand.
*This webinar is free for both LES and CITMA members. LES members, please email the LES B&I Admin Office for a registration code.
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LESI IP Valuation Committee
"LES USA / Canada IP Valuation Standards – how are they used, what is new?"
Thursday, 3 September 2026
4:00pm - 5:00pm (CET)
ONLINE
Fireside chat with Adam Falconer, Senior Director (Damages & Valuation) at Lumenci
Hosted by the Chairs of the LESI IP Valuation Committee; Sam Wiley and Anke Nestler
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LES South Africa
"Competition Law, Licensing Restrictions and Refusal to License in Innovation Markets"
Monday, 7 September 2026
4:00pm - 5:30pm (SAST)
ONLINE
The panel will compare the European Union's structured approach under the Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (TTBER) and Article 102 TFEU with the more flexible U.S. rule-of-reason approach, South Africa's effects-based framework under the Competition Act 89 of 1998, and developments in the United Kingdom and selected Asian jurisdictions.
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LES USA-Canada
"An Update from the USPTO OED: Recent Cases and Rules"
Thursday, 10 September 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm (EDT)
ONLINE
Kimberly Kelleher, Deputy General Counsel and Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline, USPTO will be discussing current matters before the USPTO Office of Enrollment & Discipline (OED), the branch of the USPTO involving ethical and other breaches, whether falsifying information or other fraud. These issues are acute now with the introduction of AI tools. Accordingly, her talk will include the ongoing effect of the usage of AI. OED Director Kelleher will also discuss proposed rule changes that may affect practitioners and otherwise provide a forum for discussion.
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LES Scandinavia
"Annual Conference - IP in a Fragmented World: Trade, Security & Innovation"
Sunday-Tuesday, 13-15 September 2026
OSLO, NORWAY
The annual Nordic meeting place for the intellectual asset community
This year’s LES Scandinavia Annual Conference will explore how intellectual property has evolved beyond a legal asset into a strategic lever in a world shaped by trade tensions, sanctions, security concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.
It will bring together innovators, licensing executives, IP professionals, technologists, lawyers and business leaders from across Nordics to learn, exchange insights and connect with leading academics, practitioners and in-house counsels.
The programme features insights from leading companies and institutions including Avanci, Autostore, Nokia, Kongsberg, Jotun, SA and the Norwegian Armed Forces – making this a unique opportunity to gain practical perspectives on how IP, licensing, technology and security intersect in today’s fragmented world.
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LES Britain-Ireland
"Annual Conference - IP Unlocked: Opportunities and Challenges in a Changing World & LES100 Training Course"
Thursday-Friday, 17-18 September 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND
This year’s conference theme, “Intellectual Property Unlocked: Opportunities and Challenges in a Changing World,” explores timely, thought-provoking topics shaping the future of IP. Discover insights on future IP needs, IP risk management, start-up licensing, cross-border disputes, machine learning, and the emerging opportunities of Artificial Intelligence replicas.
Join for an engaging and insightful programme examining how the business of intellectual property is evolving in today’s rapidly changing world.
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The Annual Conference will be followed by the LES100 Training Course on Friday, 18 September. Intended as an introduction to IP, licensing and valuation the highlight of the course is an interactive licensing negotiation.
It is specifically aimed at:
- SMEs who require an introduction to licensing Intellectual Property (IP),
- Those who are new to or considering a career in licensing and technology transfer,
- Lawyers and Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys looking for greater familiarity with the business of IP licensing,
- Entrepreneurs who need to understand the value of their IP,
- Technologists who want to understand how to identify and monetise IP,
- Those working in university technology transfer, and
- Students interested in learning the basics of IP and how to commercialise IP through licensing.
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LES International
"LESI Leadership Academy – Session 2"
Thursday, 17 September 2026
8:00am - 9:00am (EDT)
ONLINE
Develop Your Leadership Skills with Jim Malackowski
Join globally recognized intellectual property leader James (Jim) Malackowski for an engaging discussion on leadership, communication, and professional development. Drawing on decades of experience leading businesses, building innovative companies, and serving in senior leadership roles throughout LES, Jim will share practical insights on becoming a more effective leader, strengthening your professional network, and making the most of the opportunities LES provides throughout your career.
Jim's own journey illustrates how active engagement in LES can help develop leadership skills, expand professional networks, and create opportunities to serve at the highest levels of our Society.
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LES USA-Canada
"IP Valuation from Theory to Practice"
Friday, 18 September 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm (EDT)
ONLINE
This 50-minute webinar will explore the strategic importance of intellectual property (“IP”) valuation and the wide range of business circumstances in which understanding the economic value of IP can inform better decision-making.
The first half of the program will examine the growing importance of intangible assets, the principal types of IP, and how valuation can support investment prioritization, resource allocation, and optimization of IP portfolios, while addressing common misconceptions about what actually drives IP value. The second half will focus on the practical applications of IP valuation across mergers and acquisitions, licensing and commercialization, litigation and dispute resolution, and financing and capital-raising activities. Throughout the discussion, the presenters will distinguish economic value from concepts such as development cost, patent quantity, technological strength, and legal validity, while highlighting how valuation principles intersect with licensing strategy and damages analyses. The program will conclude with practical perspectives on common misconceptions surrounding IP valuation and how licensing professionals and valuation experts can work together more effectively to support commercialization, negotiations, and strategic decision-making.
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LES USA-Canada
"Unlocking Patent Value-Modern Monetization Strategies for In-House Leaders"
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
11:00am - 2:00pm (PDT)
PALO ALTO, CA, USA
Patent monetization has evolved well beyond one-off sales and traditional licensing programs. Today's in-house IP leaders face a growing range of options—from strategic portfolio sales and licensing to litigation finance, and other innovative commercialization models. But with more choices comes greater complexity.
This panel brings together leaders from industry, finance, and legal practice to discuss how companies can evaluate monetization opportunities, align them with broader business objectives, and maximize the value of their patent portfolios. Panelists will explore current market trends, common misconceptions, practical decision frameworks, and lessons learned from successful transactions. Whether your goal is generating revenue, reducing costs, or supporting broader corporate strategy, attendees will leave with practical insights into the modern patent monetization landscape.
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LES Turkey
"IP.CAMP 2026"
Thursday-Saturday, 24-26 September 2026
ÇEŞME, TURKEY
The IP community’s boutique gathering for future of intellectual property, strategy, licensing.
If you are actively involved in IP management and licensing, IP.CAMP is a must-attend event for you. It provides a unique platform to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, insights, and best practices in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned expert or just starting your career, IP.CAMP offers valuable learning and networking opportunities that can take your professional journey to new heights.
In 2026, IP.CAMP is taking a deep dive into "Navigating the Future of IP: Value & Strategy & AI". As the importance of strategic IP management continues to grow, this year's event will explore innovative approaches, emerging strategies, and future trends that will shape the IP landscape.
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LES USA-Canada
"Brand Expansion & Licensing Part 8 - Optimization"
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
12:00pm - 1:00pm (EDT)
ONLINE
What actually makes a brand "own-able," and why does it matter more than almost anything else when you're deciding how far to expand?
In this session (hosted by LES USA-Canada), Pete Canalichio (Founder and Managing Partner, Brandalive) will unpack the LASSO Framework's Own-ability pillar through real cases like Louis Vuitton's trademark battle with My Other Bag and Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" campaign, then dig into the three paths brands actually use to grow: franchising, M&A, and co-branding, with lessons from Subway, Disney/Marvel, and BMW x Louis Vuitton along the way.
Whether you're weighing how to protect your brand's identity or actively exploring your next expansion move, you'll walk away with a sharper framework for making that call.
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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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