Program

Subject to change
Click on items below to see details

Saturday

April 26

This course is not part of the Annual Conference Program – please click here to find out more

The Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) credential in intellectual property licensing and commercialization is a valuable career asset. This certification indicates to clients, colleagues and potential employers that you have advanced experience and qualifications in key identified subject areas. This course will provide you with a high-level overview of the major performance domains and content that you may see in your CLP exam so that you feel more prepared to take the certification exam. Applicants are strongly encouraged to fully prepare for taking the exam. For more information on the CLP Exam and ways to study, and to view a copy of the CLP Candidate Handbook, please visit the Certified Licensing Professionals, Inc.

Disclaimer: This course is not intended or meant to replace exam study and professional experience.

You will review the following topics:

  • Principles and concepts from each of the five established CLP exam modules
  • Interactive sample questions from the CLP Sample Exam

Sunday

April 27

For more information, visit our Social Venues page!

Monday

April 28

This plenary session will explore the evolving landscape of smart cities, focusing on how innovation and technology are reshaping urban environments. Panellists will examine the critical role of intellectual property, innovation and technology in fostering sustainable development, cities of the future and how ensuring the protection of innovations whilst fostering collaborations and co-creation of solutions will drive economic growth. Key topics will include the integration of AI and IoT in urban planning, sustainable cities, new methods in building design and construction and the challenges of data privacy and security, and the need for adaptive IP frameworks that encourage collaboration among stakeholders, businesses and regulators. By addressing these intersections, the session aims to provide insights into creating resilient, inclusive, technologically advanced and liveable cities of the future.

In an AI/ML-centric world, data is invaluable—akin to gold or diamonds, whether rough or polished. Yet, the critical aspect of data licensing, distinct from intellectual property (IP), is often overlooked in traditional life sciences agreements.

Join us for an engaging session where we will delve into real-world examples and discuss the essential considerations when dealing with modern technologies. Hear from leading experts in data and AI/ML, alongside the lawyers who help navigate the complex and uncharted territory of data ownership, from transformation and model training to the generation of synthetic data. This is an opportunity to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of life sciences.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is on the rise. IoT Analytics’ State of IoT Summer 2024 report predicts at the end of 2024, with a growth rate of 13%, 18.8 billion IoT devices in use.

With the IoT, globalization and global value chains, new players enter the SEP ecosystem. Judiciaries in the global south and SMEs are/may be facing questions regarding SEPs/FRAND that have not been fully resolved for decades.

With new players, new use cases and new litigation venues, the question arises:

  • How to make sure that interoperability ensured by technology standards guarantees benefits for all players involved and hence for the society as a whole?

Discussion Points:

  • Who are the new players and what do they need?
  • What are new use cases: and how do they need to be addressed?
  • New and old litigation and arbitration venues?

Counterfeit “dupe” culture is fueling an unsustainable and unethical cycle in global markets. While dupes offer consumers affordable alternatives, they come at a hidden cost to the environment, labor conditions, and local economies. This panel will address the environmental and human impact of dupes, spotlighting how they strain supply chains, exploit low-cost labor, and generate waste that contradicts sustainability goals—a critical concern for Gen Z and Millennials.

The rapid growth of dupes has made them a socially acceptable choice for status-conscious consumers, yet this demand drives serious repercussions. Dupes are often produced using harmful materials and exploitative labor practices in distant factories, where the full environmental and social costs are often ignored or hidden. These products contribute to overconsumption, creating waste that burdens landfills and raises global carbon emissions, contradicting the aspirations of cities committed to sustainability.

The panel will discuss the urgent need for stronger IP enforcement and consumer education to help curb the environmental toll of counterfeit goods. By enforcing IP laws that prevent the circulation of dupes, cities can better meet their carbon reduction targets, and consumers can make more ethical choices. Additionally, the panel will explore innovative policies, such as offering free customs enforcement and litigation support for small brands, to create a fairer market where entrepreneurs and creators can thrive without being undercut by copycats.

A key focus will be on making enforcement universal: once an IP ruling is secured, it should automatically apply across all jurisdictions and platforms to reduce costly, repetitive legal battles. This streamlined approach supports young, underrepresented entrepreneurs and aligns with Gen Z and Millennials’ values of transparency, fair labor, and environmental responsibility.

This discussion emphasizes that IP enforcement isn’t just about protecting brands; it’s a pathway to a more ethical and sustainable marketplace that honors the values of the next generation.  Also, the panel will address the bias that Dupes may not be widely appreciated as a significant problem because it is perceived as dealing with women’s products and thus not as important.

Singapore embarked on an ambitious project entitled the Singapore Green Plan 2030 with the aim of advancing an aggressive sustainable development agenda. Our first speaker will describe the programme and speak to the technologies that are being incorporated into Singapore’s municipal infrastructure to achieve the desired goals.

While municipalities may develop and formalize plans and programmes to meet sustainability goals, there remains the issue of identifying new technologies that can meet such needs. One of the challenges in developing such new technologies is lack of funding, particularly for SMEs, particularly given the lack of certainty that their efforts will be adopted by public sector entities.

Our other speakers will discuss recent programs that their respective countries have implemented to incentivise the development of needed innovations in this sector.

Once new intellectual property has been developed, arrangements must then be made for such IP to be put into use by governments. The licensing of IP to public sector entities must be considered carefully to ensure that the both the licensor and licensee are equitably treated, particularly given the long-term nature of the arrangements. Our speakers will discuss such license arrangements and provide insights into strategies that IP holders can use.

The patenting of technologies often requires a considerable amount of time and effort in advancing applications through the respective IP offices. However, some jurisdictions have recognized that early adoption of new “green tech” innovations is often contingent on the IP owner securing the required protections. Consequently, various IP offices have implemented programs to accelerate the protection of green tech IP. Our speakers will discuss examples of such programs and compare regional approaches.

This panel will explore the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), and the data and IP assets they rely on. Experts will discuss the current challenges in data acquisition, licensing and content usage by LLMs, the impact on content developers, content availability, and the evolving data market. Additionally, the panel will examine how AI is reshaping the value of data and content, influencing market dynamics and the strategies employed by content owners and developers. The discussion will address the need for an efficient and fair market for licensing data and content, aiming to highlight sustainable and equitable solutions for the future of AI and data markets.

Cross-border manufacturing partnerships are essential for scaling production but pose significant risks to intellectual property. What do you do when your sole-sourced contract manufacturer registers your brand or invention under their own name for a product your company designed? How can you protect your rights and prevent misuse? This all-women workshop will share practical strategies and expert insights on maintaining brand and innovation protection, addressing the pain points of reporting, tool development control, IP filing and enforcement, and how to handle sensitive relationships with key contractors in the face of cultural barriers, including how to protect know-how when suppliers need to be terminated to address critical changes to the company’s supply chain strategy due to various reasons.

 

Industry Lunches – more information to come

To support the development of smart cities around the world, there is a need for innovative solutions to enable better connectivity, good governance and public wellbeing. This keynote presentation will feature how one of the leading global technology companies, Huawei Technologies, has applied its extensive experience and expertise in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry to pioneer research and development in advanced technologies — including 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and big data analytics. Alan Fan, Head of Intellectual Property Department at Huawei technologies, will share illustrative case studies which show how this technology giant has developed innovative solutions and tools to support smarter, more efficient and better-connected communities around the world.

A global review of high-tech patentability focussing on AI and software with smart city applications. The speakers will each give their perspective of the patentability issues such as eligibility (under s101 USC 35), and inventiveness (under Article 56 EPC). The session aims to enable attendees to understand the limits of patentability and how to navigate the possibilities to achieve a patent strategy for global success.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology to achieve desired traits, such as resistance to pests, enhanced nutritional content, and improved yield. In agriculture, GMOs have transformed food production, enabling farmers to cultivate crops that are more resilient to environmental stresses and pests while reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides. This innovation plays a critical role in addressing global food security, especially as urban populations grow and the demand for sustainable food sources increases.

The integration of GMOs into the framework of smart cities presents an opportunity to promote sustainable urban agriculture. By leveraging biotechnology, cities can develop vertical farms, rooftop gardens, and community-based agriculture initiatives that utilize space efficiently while minimizing the carbon footprint. These practices not only enhance food security but also contribute to urban biodiversity and the reduction of transportation-related emissions.

However, the adoption of GMOs is not without challenges. Intellectual property (IP) issues related to patents and licensing pose significant barriers for innovators and stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The complexity of patenting GMOs—combined with the need for compliance with regulatory frameworks—can hinder the development and distribution of new biotechnological solutions. Additionally, the licensing process must navigate public concerns over GMOs, which can vary significantly between regions and influence market acceptance.

This session will delve into the intersection of GMOs, agriculture, sustainability, and smart cities while addressing the IP and licensing challenges that arise in this context. Participants will gain insights into best practices for navigating the regulatory landscape, securing intellectual property rights, and implementing effective licensing strategies that facilitate innovation and promote sustainable practices. By fostering a deeper understanding of these dynamics, the session aims to equip stakeholders with the tools necessary to advance the responsible use of GMOs in urban environments.

WIPO is creating guidelines and training materials to help health technology researchers, inventors, innovators, and IP professionals acquire the skills they need to accelerate innovation in relation to medicines, diagnostics, and vaccines. These materials cover a wide variety of relevant topics, including an introduction to the field of health technology innovation, data searches for chemical compounds and biological sequences, patent disclosure requirements, institutional IP policies, and the management, valuation, and commercialization of IP. The guidelines and materials are designed by WIPO in conjunction with leading international experts in the field. Some examples include:

  • Technology Transfer in Biotech – A Primer
  • WIPO Patent Search Handbook for Chemical Compounds and Biological Sequences
  • Patenting of healthcare-related inventions – A reference document for researchers, inventors, and innovators in the field of life sciences
  • IP Management and Commercialization in the field of Life Sciences

Since 2023 these materials are being deployed at international workshops and conferences organized by WIPO together with Member States that have requested technical assistance and capacity building measures in the field of Life Sciences innovation. The approaches and materials will be presented during the session, and the audience will have the opportunity to comment and also highlight new topics not covered by the existing materials.

Our session will examine how AI-generated content is reshaping the boundaries of intellectual property, raising critical questions about authorship, ownership, infringement, and other liability risks.  Understanding copyright ownership of AI-generated outputs, including guidance from the U.S. Copyright Office on standards of human contribution required for protection, is key to developing licensing frameworks.

We will also address considerations when using open-source software in the context of GenAI.

Finally, we will delve into specific licensing implications and provide practical insights on potential legal pitfalls to avoid in this new technological landscape.

In alignment with the theme “Smart Cities, Smarter IP: IP and Licensing Strategies for Sustainable Smart Cities,” this session will explore how academic innovations in fields like energy, green technology, and life sciences can be transformed into impactful technologies. Highlighting a recent $8.26M funding from the NSF, KCV aims to revolutionize academic commercialization and public-private partnerships for regional innovation-based economic development. During this presentation we will focus on the following key aspects:

  1. Creating Innovation Pathways: This section will explore how universities and research institutions, in collaboration with industry and government, can create robust pathways to bring academic innovations to smart city environments.
    • Takeaway: Attendees will gain insights into creating regional collaboration models that leverage multiple institutions’ strengths to advance smart city technologies.
  2. Funding & Investment Strategies: Funding plays a crucial role in bringing smart city technologies from idea to implementation. This segment will address diverse funding sources and strategies to attract investment in high-impact projects.
    • Takeaway: Attendees will learn about structuring funding strategies that combine public and private resources to accelerate the commercialization of technologies critical to economic development.
  3. Cross-border Collaboration: Strategies for creating regional, national, & international collaborations to address region-specific challenges in ecosystem development.
    • Takeaway: Attendees will leave with actionable insights on creating regional and international collaborations that facilitate technology transfer and adapt innovative solutions for global smart city markets.

More and more modern technologies, particularly in view of AI-developments needing training data, it is discussed how possibly separate licensing paths, which could be used individually or in a combined form, for patents and trade secrets (deposited in safe depositories…?) should be developed.

The speakers will discuss various aspects thereof from both battery, car, chip, communication and software industry.

Since the breakthrough in December 2022 at the US Livermore National Laboratory, which achieved fusion ignition in a laboratory for the first time, fusion energy has become a fixed component of the vision for a sustainable future. All hopes are now with a growing number of start-up companies which are undertaking a monumental research effort by relying on collaborations with leading scientific institutions and partners. To achieve their goals, they require vast sums of public and private funding.

However, the hope mankind has set on fusion energy seems to be at odds with the need of private companies to create a strong portfolio, holding IP rights exclusively. This tension has led to much debate in the sector on feasible IP policies and especially the terms and conditions for fusion energy IP generated via public funding.

Based on my experience as in-house counsel and FELEX expert adviser, this presentation shall give an insight into managing IP and developing licencing strategies in a highly collaborative, technically pioneering environment. It would cover the IP challenges of the sector, such as

  • the low level of technical maturity;
  • no structured prior art;
  • and the highly collaborative research effort, including public-private partnerships.

To then outline a path forward, highlighting

  • the importance of trade secret protection, combined with
  • a clearly focused IP policy defining the “core IP” of the company,
  • managing the terms and conditions of public funding for IP,

which needs to inform the overall strategy for licence and collaboration agreements.

To conclude, IP protection easily risks a bad reputation if it is seen as foreclosing innovation for the public. The fusion sector is a good example showing that when applied sensibly, IP protection is an enabling tool that achieves just the opposite.

The lessons of this presentation are of course transferable to other R&D-heavy or deep tech sectors.

Innovation Trends Committee launched a work group, co-chaired by Pierre Ollivier (LES France) and Vic De Leon (LES Philippines) to create a book capturing best practice for business secrets back in 2022. This work item has culminated in a book which is targeted to be launched at LESI 2025 in Singapore, also providing practical case studies along its various chapters.

The coordinators have recently agreed a publishing contract with Springer, and at time of writing (Oct 2024) are finalising the draft with the aim of having physical copies of the book available at LESI 2025.

Book’s provisionary Title :

Business Secrets Management – Strategies to Protect, Extract and Maximize Value

The film industry is undergoing a seismic shift with the rise of Generative AI, which is transforming everything from scriptwriting to post-production. This 80-minute session will explore the profound impact of AI on filmmaking, delving into its creative, technical, ethical, and legal implications.

The conversation will also address the recent Hollywood strikes in 2023, where concerns about AI replacing human labor played a significant role.

Our panel of experts will discuss how these developments are shaping the future of cinema and what it means for filmmakers, content creators, and the broader entertainment ecosystem.

Key Topics include:

  • The current state of Generative AI in filmmaking
  • AI’s role in scriptwriting, visual effects, and post-production
  • Ethical considerations and intellectual property rights
  • The balance between AI assistance and human creativity
  • Reflections on the 2023 Hollywood strikes: implications for labor and creativity in the age of AI
  • Future projections for AI in the entertainment industry

In today’s increasingly global and technology-driven economy, businesses are more interconnected and reliant on digital tools. Complete IP portfolio management and monetization can no longer rely solely on hard IP, as trade secrets have emerged as a vital complement.

As trade secrets gain prominence, countries are adapting their legal standards, both through new laws and court decisions. Emerging protections now focus on the analysis of eligibility (e.g., what constitutes a trade secret), enforcement (e.g., how to get effective injunctions), criminal remedies (e.g., how public authorities can participate in investigations), damage calculation (e.g., proper valuation of trade secrets), and cross-border disputes (e.g., how to obtain relief on acts outside your jurisdiction). This session will feature a panel of young IP experts from LESI’s YMC, offering diverse insights on how different regions are addressing the challenges of trade secret protection. Key topics will include legal frameworks for protection and the impact of technology on the safeguarding of confidential business information. With contributions from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, this panel will provide a truly global perspective. The speakers will share real-world examples as well as examine recent court decisions, making this session highly relevant to both emerging and established professionals.

The Women in Licensing Alliance (“WILA”) workshop will explore how people of different countries may negotiate based upon whether they have low or high context perspectives. It will offer an interactive audience paired negotiation role-play highlighting various differences in cross-cultural communications. The workshop will conclude with a networking session.

The research of anthropologist Edward T. Hall has shown that cultures may be defined as either low or high context in their way of viewing relationships and communicating.

This workshop will explore these cultural profiles and the way they may affect a negotiation between two people, one from a high context culture and the other from a low context culture. Audience members will have the opportunity to try their hand at negotiating using high and low contact approaches via an IP license fact pattern. This is not gender-specific and all are welcome. As is tradition, we will end the workshop with a toast and networking.

In this session a panel of experts will share their views on the role of the courts in FRAND dispute resolution. The panel will cover the recent developments in this area and their impact on FRAND licensing strategies and dispute resolution. The discussion and debate will look at whether courts can and should determine FRAND terms and address open questions of how to resolve FRAND disputes in new sectors and the future of FRAND dispute resolution.

The high-tech sector has effectively utilized patent pools and standardization to manage commercial risks, facilitate collaboration, and promote IP commercialization. Patent pools and standard essential patents, e.g., 5G, 6G, and cellular communication protocol, have been deployed as a valuable tool for streamlining the licensing process and reducing litigation risks in the high-tech space.  We are at a pivotal moment where the convergence of life sciences and technology is transforming the industry.  This session aims to discuss licensing issues regarding life sciences platform technologies, including CRISPR and mRNA pools, and lessons and insights from the high-tech sector.

In today’s increasingly global and technology-driven economy, new ways of thinking and doing business can generate high value and pro-competitive approaches, and a new way of conceiving sustainable smart cities worldwide.

As the transfer of knowledge and rights gain prominence in a fast-changing world, developing smart skills and providing innovative tools in the IP business for and in sustainable smart cities are crucial.

Against this background, the session will provide new and smart IP strategies, which allow the audience to gain new skills playing an IP game.

The session will be interactive with the audience and will revolve on a narrative. In fact, the audience will learn in an engaging way and in a safe environment, and having fun at the same time!

The narrative of the game will revolve around companies that – while negotiating – will end up in a high-profile patent litigation dispute.

The panel is co-organised by three LESI Committees: WILA, High Tech, and Dispute Resolution. It aims and includes elements that cover and put focus on the goals and purpose of these three Committees.

So, are you game?

Please see listings here.

Hosted at The Clifford Pier at the Fullerton Bay Hotel. Please see the Social Venues page for more information.

Tuesday

April 29

As urban centres evolve into smart cities, the foundational elements of technology and connectivity become paramount. This panel discussion will explore the critical infrastructure that supports the seamless operation of smart city ecosystems, focusing on the technologies that enable connectivity and the innovative solutions driving urban transformation. Our panel of leading industry experts will discuss the role of advanced wireless networks needed to provide the necessary bandwidth and speed for real-time data exchange, the importance of standardization and interoperability between diverse technologies and platforms and the challenges of data management, analytics and protection.

The term sheet hackathon* is unique collaborative action to engage the global IP community, while creating a useful and concrete outcome with the LESI Annual Conference in Singapore as the main event.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Stage 1: CO-CREATING THE CASE, Feb-March 2025

  • Aim: to create one or more a case-descriptions involving AI and data for the hackathon
  • Format: An online workshop open for LESI members and others
  • The number and types of cases will depend on the fields and interests of the participants, at least life sciences will be represented.
  • Because the case descriptions will be created collaboratively in an online workshop prior to the event, they will meet the needs of the various stakeholders directly and be broadly applicable across various fields.

Stage 2: TERM-SHEET HACKATHON, April 2025

  • Aim: The participants collaboratively create drafts of terms sheets for the scenario developed in Stage 1.
  • Format: An 80min in-person workshop at the Annual Conference in Singapore
  • Importance: A well-drafted term sheet is a crucially important element of successful technology transfer processes and negotiations. It is also a sufficiently short and concise document that is known to all stakeholders of IP deals, which is why it is expected to serve well as the focus and outcome of the program.
  • The participants will be divided into teams, ideally each including a legal expert, technology expert, and a business expert.
  • At the end of the hackathon, the teams present the results, which are summarised for an article in Les Nouvelles by the organising team (and other interested co-authors) after the event by the end of 2025.
  • Stage 3: PUBLICATION in Les Nouvelles, by the end of 2025
    • The team with key contributors from the hackathon summarise the case and the resulting term sheet(s) into an article for Les Nouvelles

*Note: The term “hackathon” is in this context used to describe a collaborative, time limited co-creation session aiming at generating a concrete outcome according to the task description provided. No coding/programming will be done.

This session brings together seasoned experts from the semiconductor industry to explore the complex intersection of intellectual property (IP) rights, technology, and business strategy in one of the world’s most pivotal sectors. Featuring leaders with on-the-ground experience from around the globe, this session will provide critical insights into the rapidly evolving IP landscape for semiconductors, addressing both regional nuances and universal challenges.

Indemnification clauses play an important role in supplier – customer business relations. IP indemnification clauses have also been widely used in contracts across the supply chain, as well as between licensors and licensees.

However, indemnification clauses can quickly become messy, and relying too heavily on them can lead to contract disputes, liability and ultimately add costs.

In an era of convergence and massive IoT, a large number of stakeholders will be involved in often complex deployments like smart cities: industrial and consumer device manufacturers, telecom operators, network infrastructure providers, health care providers, hyperscalers, municipalities, citizens, and many more.

Making sense of IP indemnification clauses in such a complex web of players can become massively tricky. Historically, licensors have licensed at the device level, and indemnification clauses were often frowned upon. On the other hand, licensees have often claimed that indemnification by suppliers should cover IP licenses.

In a complex scenario, however, such indemnification may be limited and difficult to navigate. Moreover, the value of technology deployments is rapidly shifting away from devices and moving to the upper layers. Such value to citizens may be difficult to ascertain when government subsidies and private-public partnerships are instrumental for such deployments.

This panel will look at how IP indemnification clauses will need to evolve as IoT brings more complexity into the IP licensing ecosystem. And more fundamentally, is there a role at all for IP indemnification clauses in such complex scenarios?

Following the success of last year’s “Various IP Delicacies,” this year’s panel takes you into the heart of the Smart Digital Renaissance, where the boundaries of art, design, multimedia, AI, and urban innovation collide. With insights from experts hailing from the USA, Korea, Italy, Germany, and Hungary, we’ll navigate the evolving landscape of intellectual property in the context of smart cities and cutting-edge creativity.

Discover how IP issues play out when AI-generated designs reshape urban spaces, digital art transforms public installations, and multimedia interacts with city infrastructure. On the agenda are Copyright Conundrums in data-driven public art, Patent Paradoxes in smart technologies, Design Dilemmas in urban aesthetics, and Trademark Tangles in immersive experiences. We’ll also address privacy concerns surrounding data collection in smart environments, exploring the delicate balance between individual rights and the benefits of a connected urban experience.

This year’s session will explore how licensing and IP frameworks are adapting to a future where cities themselves become canvases for innovation and expression. Whether you’re an IP expert, artist, or smart city enthusiast, “Various Legal Issues in the Digital Urban Landscape” promises a dynamic journey through the future of creativity and digital rights in the urban age.

The Smart City brings both technical and legal challenges – and developing the Smart City’s autonomous vehicles combines both. The automotive industry is facing an enormous disruption in the value chain, with hardware and software innovations as key drivers of this transformation. While OEMs previously focused on the desired function, they increasingly target ownership of the differentiating functions implemented in hardware and software. The roles, responsibilities, and ownership are changing throughout the entire value chain.

An open chiplet ecosystem is a new frontier targeting this issue. Chiplets are reshaping the way computers are built: Instead of traditional all-in-one “system on a chip” solutions, these new modular chiplets can be assembled to a set of chiplets like Lego bricks, customized for specific tasks. This allows for sets of chiplets to be assembled for the various automotive applications. If operationalized well, an open chiplet platform will be safer, reduce power use, reduce compute costs, and allow competition in the industry by lowering vendor lock-in.

But how to make these chiplet “bricks” match? The interface definition (i.e. standardization) is the key challenge to establish chiplet technology in the automotive space, both technically and legally.

Against this background, the speakers of this session will discuss different approaches of standardization of a chiplet ecosystem, the impact on intellectual property and licensing, competition law as well as compliance aspects.

As we approach the two-year mark of the Unified Patent Court’s (UPC) operations in June 2025, the shapes and structures of the new European patent litigation landscape become clearer. What we see is a complex of different layers of litigation that provide for multiple strategies and opportunities: national litigation, UPC litigation, hybrid strategies, different ways and forums within the UPC. The session convenes experienced litigators, in-house and law firm practitcioners who have actively participated in UPC proceedings as well as a speaker from the bench of the Court of Appeal of the UPC, providing a unique perspective on the developments and the case law related to these issues. This session is committed to aiding practitioners and stakeholders in navigating the evolving UPC landscape, ultimately enhancing their capacity to engage effectively with the court and anticipate future trends in European patent litigation.

The Businesses of Food is a complex and exciting one. Companies in this sector whether at the consumer needs end of F&B services, or in manufacturing or in protecting innovation in this highly evolving ecosystem, need to navigate the fast paced ever changing IP landscape. IP continue to be a critical asset and tool in food tech and in emerging categories of alternative food. Learn from industry experts and leading companies about what matters.

This panel will address the diverse aspects of urban life transformed by artificial intelligence and smart technologies. We will explore the various facets of living in a smart city, understanding how interconnected systems and innovative solutions contribute to a more efficient urban environment, and discussing the regulatory and legal issues which need to be addressed.

Connectivity for all – Creating a Patent Licensing Model for IoT that Helps Smart Cities Thrive

Smart cities are increasingly becoming a reality thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), which is bringing a wide range of municipal services into the 21st Century by enabling communication, data collection and automation across a vast range of objects and devices.

Many of these devices and services are powered by standardized connectivity technologies including cellular and Wi-Fi, each of which have well-established patent licensing ecosystems. This presents a unique set of new challenges for both established patent owners and emerging IoT product makers.

Most notably, instead of a few major players, the IoT is characterised by a large number of low-volume implementers – with many companies shipping between 1,000 and 20,000 units per year. Licensing models built around dealing with a handful of consumer electronics makers must adapt to this.

There is also fierce competition among several alternative technologies in the space, including those that operate on the unlicensed spectrum. These alternative solutions come with differing technical capabilities and IP landscapes. That makes it imperative to devise licensing solutions that enable product makers to scale up rather than acting as a barrier to deployment.

In addition, there is relatively low awareness of IP among IoT market actors. To the extent that they are aware of patents, market players have a strong desire for transparency and predictability. However, it has taken time for clarity to emerge given many patent holders’ wait-and-see approach to the market. Education and communication are therefore essential elements of licensing strategy in these areas.

This session will gather stakeholders from all sides of this issue – patent owners, IoT end-product makers, module providers and intermediaries – for a discussion on where things stand in the market today, and the industry-driven solutions that are emerging to overcome these challenges and fuel the continued growth of smart city IoT connectivity.

 

As the financial, accounting and taxation implications of IP transactions have developed through the years to a level that there are now certain internationally accepted rules affecting valuation methods applicable to different situations, the importance of evaluation remains critical in every transaction. The value of a determined patent does not follow financial rules but depend heavily on the context around such patent, including of course its quality, but also the impact of the protected technology, the competitive environment, the complexity of patent portfolios around products and services, allocation of value in IP bundles, the dynamics of each industry and the specific circumstances of licensors and licensees. All these factors will be discussed in this panel focusing on the key strategic differences between evaluating and valuating and the impact of these activities in monetization and licensing strategies.

In this session several valuation standards and requirements by different jurisdictions will be presented and discussed.

The rise of AI and continued push of all software and applications onto the cloud, as well as the increasing use of IOT, connected devices and video has seen an explosion in demand for datacenter services and capacity.  Furthermore, the energy required to power data center services is a current focus of the technology industry.  For example, during the second half of 2024, Amazon, Microsoft and Google announced partnerships with or investments in emerging nuclear SMR (small modular) technology, as a potential source of carbon free energy to power data centers and the anticipated increased use of AI applications. Private equity firms have announced over $50B in investments into data centers and power projects to support the infrastructure demand anticipated by increased use of AI.  As the focus is increasingly on carbon free energy technologies to support our cities and an increased use of AI applications and smart devices, this will require collaboration, licensing and partnerships among a diverse group of parties ranging from energy companies, digital platforms, governments, financial firms and other sources of capital, academic and research institutions, and industry participants to ensure that the maximum benefits from the use of technology are realized by cities and their citizens.  A key component of this will be access to data through appropriate licensing strategies. Further, access to the significant levels of energy that will be needed to power applications is critical, as well as access and rights to use the data collected to drive meaningful outputs and greater efficiencies. How this data is generated, owned and licensed in an environment of ever- increasing smart devices monitoring and tracking people and the use of resources, overlaid with the wave of AI applications, will be a key determinant in the success of the development of smart cities. Thoughtful structuring of the collaborations, partnerships and licenses needed will help ensure successful realization of the “smart city.”  One or more case studies providing examples will be discussed.

WIPO’s Strategy on Standard Essential Patents was published in April 2024. At the first anniversary of the Strategy being in place, it is useful to take stock of what has been delivered as part of the implementation of that Strategy – and what value it brings to the stakeholder community.

The session presents the tools, collections, databases, studies, events and services that WIPO has put in place, in collaboration with its partner organizations and national authorities – and places them in the context of what other national, regional and global developments are afoot in the area of SEP policy.

The presentation concludes with the next steps and a call for further cooperation with LESI and its members.

This presentation will examine China’s evolving legal landscape surrounding generative AI, particularly focusing on the extensive case law that has emerged as the country seeks to establish clear guidelines for AI governance. Recent court rulings in China have addressed key issues, including the copyrightability of AI-generated content (AIGC), the legal responsibilities of AI platforms, and the infringement liabilities related to the use of copyrighted material in AI training datasets. These cases are setting important precedents, offering clarity on the intellectual property rights of AI users and establishing compliance expectations for service providers. In addition, a substantial number of lawsuits involving generative AI are still under review, signaling a continuing expansion of this legal framework. By analyzing these judicial decisions and ongoing cases, this presentation will provide insights into the complex interplay between innovation, regulation, and intellectual property protection in China, equipping businesses and stakeholders with practical strategies for navigating these developments effectively.

The session will discuss some of the “lessons learnt” from the Paris Olympic Games, and will provide actual information on new positive possibilities and opportunities for athletes, sports brands and  sponsors during the  previous Olympic and Paralympic Games and what it required to benefit from less restrictions for brand owners to take part in an IOC pilot project with an outlook to future Olympic Games in 2026 and 2028 and how organizing host cities can become ‘smart’ in this field.

The advent of unprecedented technological advancements and the augmented tendency to hinge on AI tools has exacerbated the legal complexities surrounding data protection and privacy issues in all arenas including licensing. The critical aspects that companies should consider are compliance to data protection laws, safeguarding of IP, usage rights and liability. It cannot be denied that data fed AI has grown substantially to become incredibly advanced and is now capable of making automated decisions based on subtle patterns inferred from data footprints left on the internet. Amounts of personal data floating also raise the risk of theft, cybersecurity, creation of fakes images and data breached such as phishing attacks, and malware.

Although AI is part of our daily lives how it operates to leverage content is not clear and laws to regulate the same are yet not streamlined in many jurisdictions. Hence, adoption of measures to ensure transparency has become a vital concern for companies.  For this roundtable discussion, we can navigate through the associated challenges and risks while rendering a comparative analysis of regulatory landscape to protect data in various jurisdictions.

LES Royalty Survey Studies have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of the licensing market, serving as invaluable references for licensing professionals. In 2024, LES USA and Canada conducted its Life Sciences Survey Study. Join us for an exclusive preview of the results. This session will cover (i) benchmark royalty payment data: including royalty rates, upfront payments, and milestone payments across major therapeutic areas; and (ii) survey process: detailing data collection and methodology. The goal of this session is to showcase the benchmark royalty data available exclusively to the LES community and to review key deal terms (e.g., structure of royalty payments: flat vs. tiered royalty rates; royalty rates by clinical trial phase; development and sales milestones vs. clinical trial phases; and payment structures).

Dispute resolution options and strategies are centre stage in this session. Speakers from an arbitral institution and an international commercial court share why their caseload is on the rise and how they innovate to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of disputants. An arbitrator and mediator shares his experience mediating a specialised patent licensing dispute involving standard essential patents and FRAND rates (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory rates), part of an international trend in licensing disputes. Finally, a lawyer and an in-house counsel discuss the considerations for dispute resolution clauses at the transaction/negotiation stage in international deals.

Game development industry (and in particular the Singapore’s one) is a melting pot of innovation, creativity, and technological advancement. The involved companies are not just developing games; they are shaping the future of entertainment.

The global video game industry is a billion-dollar business: it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.76% between 2024 and 2027, resulting in a projected market volume of US$ 363.20 billion by 2027.

This session will explore the intricate relationship between gaming and IP rights, with a focus on how the complexities of IP impact the rapidly growing sector of esports and gaming-related entertainment events. The discussion featured industry experts who shared insights on the various IP challenges and opportunities that arise within the gaming landscape.

Attendees left with a greater understanding of the critical role IP plays in fostering innovation, protecting creativity and supporting the sustainable growth of the gaming industry.

Overall, the session will underscore that as gaming continues to rise as a dominant form of entertainment, a robust framework for IP rights will be essential to ensure fair practices and encourage creative developments.

The Free Fire World Series 2021 Singapore, which was watched by 5.4 million concurrent viewers at its peak, holds the record for the highest concurrent viewership of any esports match in history.

The panelists have experience in 3 distinct (legal) territories (Europe, China, U.S.) and 3 distinct fields of interest (big industry, legal, patent attorney) and can therefore discuss how the first decisions of the UPC are setting the UPC and the UPC-contracted member states on the map with respect to patent enforcement. The panelists will address the following subjects:

  1. Is the UPCA-territory comparable to the Chinese and US-territory when it comes to enforcement and licensing? How have the territories grown closer, and in what aspect do they still differ?
  2. From a EU, USA and Chinese, litigation, licensing and industry perspective: Is, and if so, how is the existence of a UPCA-territory changing the strategy on patent portfolio’s? What would be the best strategy under what circumstances?
  3. What to do in UPC-territory with patent portfolio?
  4. Line in UPC case law so far: patentee-friendly? Patent-critical? Local flavors?
  5. In light of the UPC so far:
    • Should one favor quantity of patents, which can be used in multiple suits against the same party in a “war of attrition” for which funds can be used that used to be attributed to enforcing the same patent before multiple national courts?
    • Or should a company favor quality in order to create a portfolio of strong “bullet proof” patent rights which may be upheld centrally by the UPC, the USPTO and US courts, the CNIPA and Chinese Courts and thus strong enforcement candidates? Also in light of the possibility of multiple attacks (counterclaims).Opinions from a EU-perspective (new and emerging large territory), Chinese perspective (large territory, substantial recent changes in patent landscape) and USA perspective (experience with large-territory patent litigation and licensing).
  6. How this changes licensing: territory, style, number of patents, valuation of licensing candidates: .What is most valuable for licensing of new and smart technologies: the US-type system (painful verdicts but high costs) a unique European system with a federal approach to enforcement and damages, or the (new) Chinese approach combining strong central enforcement with relatively low damages?

This panel shall portray and compare the most relevant regulatory initiatives to find common ground and a best practical way forward to overcoming any hurdles posed by SEP, such as information asymmetries for some market participants, up-to-datedness, credibility, reliability, and trustworthiness of the information provided, when licensing SEPs in various technical fields especially in newly emerging technology fields, such as IoT. The goal is to figure out key elements/factors for a newly legal framework capable to accelerate and facilitate the creation of new generation of data driven smart cities which exploit patented technology based on AI innovations.

The session is intended to have the following key sections:

    1. Presentation of the key points of each approach on SEP regulations
    2. Comparing the approaches and defining common grounds in order to accelerate the building up of data driven smart cities

Aligning CEEM Innovation with Smart Cities through the UN Sustainable Development Goals

As urbanization accelerates globally, the concept of Smart Cities has emerged as a visionary framework for developing sustainable, efficient, and livable urban environments. Smart Cities leverage advanced technologies and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life for citizens, promote environmental sustainability, and optimize resource management.

Our CEEM committee will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) within the CEEM sectors and their relationship to intellectual property (IP) and innovation. This focus is intrinsically aligned with the Smart Cities theme of the conference for several compelling reasons.

Integration of CEEM Sectors in Smart Cities

The CEEM sectors form the backbone of Smart City infrastructure. Innovations in these areas are critical for developing technologies that enable cities to function more efficiently and sustainably. For example:

  • Chemicals and Materials: Development of sustainable and smart materials for construction, infrastructure, and consumer products contributes to the durability and efficiency of urban environments.
  • Energy: Advances in renewable energy technologies and smart grids are essential for reducing carbon footprints and ensuring reliable energy supply in Smart Cities.
  • Environment: Environmental technologies for waste management, water purification, and pollution control are vital for maintaining healthy urban ecosystems.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN SDGs provide a universal blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future. Goals such as Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (Goal 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12), and Climate Action (Goal 13) directly correlate with the objectives of Smart Cities.

By focusing on the UN SDGs within the CEEM sectors, our session will explore how innovations and IP strategies can drive progress towards these global goals. This alignment ensures that the advancements discussed are not only technologically innovative but also socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.

Singapore may be known for its smart innovations and emerging tech, but it is also taking strides to be a leading country for MedTech companies, with over 400 now in the island-nation, 25 research and development centres and 50 MedTech regional HQs. It is embracing technology and innovation with the need for preventative care for an ageing population, in the form of wearable health monitors to AI-driven diagnostic tools.

Europe continues to hold its place on the world stage as home to companies leading the MedTech advancements. Philips, for example, was the second largest application in the EPO’s Patent Index 2023 in the field of medical technology, with 607 MedTech patent applications. Reports have shown that the MedTech sector in particular is capitalising on emerging tech such as AI.  The importance of strong patent filing strategies and FTO searches continue to safeguard the rapid innovation cycle. The panel will consider the potential challenges that this industry could face in the EU with the recent introduction of the EU AI Act.

In the US, the MedTech sector has successfully converted innovation into steady growth over the last 10 years, achieving at least 4% revenue growth per annum. Like in APAC and Europe, the rise of AI is shifting the landscape to help deliver operational efficiencies. The growth of consumer interest in health and wellness is also providing opportunities for MedTech companies to sell products direct to consumers, providing new revenue streams. This means they must have a keen eye on their IP, with protection for both the product and its technology, and the brand as a whole.

With rapid growth comes the need for careful IP management to protect these advancements and ensure competitive advantage, and strategies may differ depending on the region or market a company is operating in. The panel will emphasise the importance of brand protection strategies to maintain credibility and differentiation in a crowded marketplace, as well as how to avoid costly litigation, and will bring a global perspective to the discussion.

Thank you and LESI2026 Announcement

Wednesday

April 30

There will be INDUSTRY VISITS on this day – please stay tuned for more information.

Hyundai Motor Innovation Centre

Changi Airport – Jewel