Execs from Adobe, Gates Foundation, Nike, Oracle, Seattle Genetics and Starbucks among Powerhouse Presenter Lineup for LES (USA & Canada) Meeting May 14-16 in Seattle, WA

Highly diverse program to examine key developments and trends for IP-interested business professionals across sectors from high tech and clean tech to life sciences, mobile, gaming, consumer products and more

WASHINGTON & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada), Inc. will host its Spring Meeting in Seattle, drawing on the innovation hub’s rich and diverse business community for a powerhouse program featuring executive presenters from Adobe, HP, Microsoft, Nike Oracle, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PhaseBio, Starbucks, T-Mobile, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 343i and other leading organizations.

“Intellectual Property -- in its many forms -- is now a major focus in most business transactions”

“Intellectual Property -- in its many forms -- is now a major focus in most business transactions,” said Tatiana Moore, LES (USA & Canada) President and Microsoft Manager for Outbound Licensing, Corporate IP&L. “IP considerations are now often essential to business strategy, collaboration and deal making across industry sectors. Given this, our Spring Meeting will examine a spectrum of related topics and foster industry connections in an exciting and vibrant environment to connect with peers and which offers a rare opportunity to hear from key players in the nonprofit world and small companies, as well as business behemoths.”

The meeting, May 14-16, will draw IP-interested business executives, licensing leaders, representatives from federal and national labs and internationally-renowned foundations for a program that will explore late-breaking developments, hot topics and trends impacting the business of IP and related deal making across the high tech, mobile, clean tech, life science, consumer products, gaming and other industries.

Through keynote, plenary and interactive workshop sessions, a world-class lineup of presenters will share insights, expertise and eye-opening lessons learned. Click here for the complete meeting program.

Highlights include:

Hello Kitty as a Global Licensing & Marketing Phenomenon: Keynote speaker Ray Hatoyama, Vice Chairman of Sanrio, Japan’s leader in global licensing, will discuss how he turned the Hello Kitty brand into a worldwide sensation, as well as Sanrio’s focus on globalization, the localization of their operations worldwide and the strong growth of global licensing.

Solving the World’s Imminent Problems with Innovative Science: Top executives from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Infectious Disease Research Institute will explain the work of their organization and the role licensing plays in meeting objectives.

Secondary Patent Market -- Trends and Practice: IP leaders from IBM, Intellectual Ventures, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser will share diverse perspectives on the state of the secondary patent market, patent acquisitions and sales, best practices and the ‘patent bubble.’

IP Perspectives from a Northwest Angel Investor: Former Microsoft executive turned clean tech angel investor will discuss IP relevance and challenges in the startup world.

West Coast Software Giants Focus on IP: Adobe, HP, Oracle and Autodesk leaders explore IP-related hurdles, challenges and opportunities the industry faces moving into the future.

Life Sciences: A Guide to Turning a Strategic Partnership into an Acquisition: Leaders from Washington Research Foundation, Seattle Genetics, Cooley Godward, Ventures West Capital and PhaseBio explore the ins and outs of developing and managing strategic partnerships and how to transition from partnership to acquisition.

The LES Foundation’s 2013 International Graduate Student Business Plan Competition Finals will precede the Spring Meeting, on Monday, May 13^th. Attendees are invited to watch as finalist teams from across the globe present their IP-based business plans in hopes of taking home valuable cash and in-kind prizes. Winners will be announced on May 16th. www.lesfoundation.org.

The LES Spring Meeting will also feature a variety of professional networking opportunities, including a reception at the Chihuly Garden and Glass with glass sculptures by acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly.

Register by April 15 and receive a $200 registration discount: www.lesspring.org. CLE, CLP and CPE credits are available for this meeting.

About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.

Established in 1965, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society comprised of over 4,500 members engaged in the transfer, use, development and marketing of technology and intellectual property. The LES membership includes a wide range of professionals, including business executives, lawyers, licensing consultants, engineers, academicians, scientists and government officials. Many large corporations, professional firms, and universities comprise the Society's membership. Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. & Canada), Inc. is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), with a worldwide membership of more than 10,000 members in 32 national societies, representing over 90 countries. For more information on LES, see www.lesusacanada.org.