[October 01, 2007] U.S. Patent Law Changes to Be Analyzed at Licensing Executives Society Meeting Tweet (Market Wire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) VANCOUBER, BC, October 1 / MARKET WIRE/ -- Legal and regulatory changes in U.S. patent laws have broad implications for businesses across North America. Consider this: -- The U.S. Congress is about to pass sweeping patent reform that will fundamentally change how patents are issued and how they can be challenges -- The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned lower court rulings on the "obviousness" test for patents, setting a precedent that will alter how patents can be deemed valid -- The rise of hedge funds is affecting how many licensing deals are now done -- New U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is tightening rules on patent claims and continuations effective November 1, 2007 -- The U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission is changing antitrust enforcement practices regarding intellectual property that may help future licensing deals What does all this mean for Canadian and U.S. businesses? Get answers at the Licensing Executives Society Annual Meeting, October 14-18, 2007, at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibit Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. More than 1,000 corporate business development officers, patent attorneys, intellectual property licensing consultants, and other members of the Licensing Executives Society will discuss these current issues. Other meeting highlights include: -- Licensing in the Global Marketplace for High Technology - Marshall Phelps, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Microsoft Corporation, who oversees an IP portfolio that includes 3,000 patents and 11,000 trademarks, will analyze IP licensing trends in the technology sector. -- Licensing or M&A? - Acquisitions of biotech companies reached $30 billion in 2006, up from $25 billion in 2005. How does this affect IP licensing in the biopharma sector? A panel of experts from Merck, Amgen, Genentech, Biogen, Gilead, and Recombinant Capital will explore the issue. -- Watts Wacker Speaks - One of the world's most respected futurists, Watts Wacker is founder and director of FirstMatter LLC. He is considered one of the most influential minds in modern business and recently co- authored a book titled "Deviant's Advantage." -- Deals of Distinction - Each year, LES awards "Deals of Distinction" recognition to the top IP licensing deals in several industry sectors. Find out the 2007 winners and what made their deals unique. Press Registration: For press registration, contact Al Rickard at 703-402-9713 or [email protected]. Need more information? Visit the Licensing Executives Society Web site. Contact: Al Rickard 703-402-9713Email Contact Copyright 2007 Market Wire, Incorporated [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]