Managing intellectual property key driver of value

Media Release

Management of intellectual property assets is key driver of sustainable value creation and crucial skill for managers and board

Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Conference, 2007

12 March 2007 – As the global business environment becomes increasingly competitive and corporate governance requirements more stringent, the management, protection and commercialization of intellectual property has become a crucial issue for business managers and an area for oversight by boards, according to the Licensing Executives Society of Australia and New Zealand (LESANZ).

LESANZ President, Mr Rob McInnes said, “Intellectual property assets typically represent a disproportionate amount of a company’s value, often outstripping the tangible asset valuation of a business by five times or more. Effective management, protection and commercialisation of intellectual property assets are therefore key drivers of sustainable value creation. Directors and managers who do not actively manage these important intangible assets risk breaching their professional duties.”

The LESANZ 2007 Annual Conference, taking place on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, from 15-17th March, will bring together local and international intellectual property experts with company directors, managers, lawyers, patent attorneys, accountants and management consultants to discuss issues related to licensing, technology transfer and effective management of intellectual assets.

The 2007 Conference has a particular focus on international issues impacting on Australian and New Zealand companies as they seek to compete on a global level.

Mr McInnes said, “For companies exporting out of Australia and New Zealand, or offshoring back office functions, it’s vital to understand how to keep intellectual assets intact.”

Keynote speakers include Russell Levine, a partner at US law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP, on “Top 10 things you should know about US patent litigation” and David Livingstone, Director, International Intellectual Property Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the impact of free trade agreements on Australian and New Zealand companies.

In addition, for the first time in Australia, the Conference will be preceded by a meeting of the Asia Pacific Presidents of the Licensing Executives Society International.

ENDS

For more information and the full conference program, visit: http://lesanz.org.au/events/annualconference.html

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