IP Week: four days to find solutions to the crisis
A four day IP conference - the format thrives in the US, but it remains rare in Europe.
This time, the initiative isn’t funded by a large NGO or lobbying group. Behind the IP Week lies an independent conference producer focused on putting forward the latest IP trends based on a neutral approach.
Premier Cercle™, organiser of the IP Summit since 2004, has taken up the challenge. The privately-held Belgian-French company is opening up the path to innovation with a renewed concept for this congress.
So, what’s new with the IP Week? Let’s hear what the organisers have to say.
“Each day will spotlight a different focus” explains Patrice Cros, CEO of Premier Cercle. “The week starts with the Open Innovation Day on Tuesday, December 6. On day 2, IP in Industry aims to spark debates on the unitary EU patent, among others. Also it’s going to be a hub for best practice-sharing in vertical industries.”
“IP Strategies on day 3 will then address all aspects of making money with IP: optimising portfolios on the buy- and sell-side, licensing, litigating, attracting funds, monetising assets. Finally, keys to the big five emerging markets will be given during IP in BRICS Countries, on Friday December 9. To sum up the whole agenda, it’s all about better innovation, better protection, better business and better trade.“
A dream line-up of keynotes on IP
Today, there’s no doubt that innovation is key to making the economy successful, thanks to the extra wealth it generates to deliver future growth and jobs. Innovation is marketed through IP, which requires first an adequate level of protection. The fourth step is to access markets where demand is still high in the current climate. This rationale is defining the agenda of the IP Week, which aims to offer practical solutions to the crisis.
For the logic to unfold smoothly, plenary sessions are preferred this year, compared to the usual configuration of many workshops tackling concurrent challenges. This format, coupled with the four day-schedule, promotes exchanges and fosters debates among professionals.
One of the direct results of this choice is the increased number of top-level speakers, primarily official leaders.
Premier Cercle is keeping the same high standards for industry case studies. At the same time, an increased duration means more than twice the number of keynotes.
Next Year: Two IP Summits?
Among these are ministers of the Governments of the UK and Poland, under the current Polish presidency of the EU, as well as a representative of the European Commission, the CEO of the European Investment Fund Richard Pelly, and the Director General of the WIPO, Francis Gurry.
On the fourth day (Friday December 9), a special roundtable will host a debate between presidents and directors of the USPTO, the EPO, the Brazilian INPI and the Chinese SIPO. David Kappos, in particular, is expected to comment on the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act recently promulgated by President Barack Obama.
Additional information on the agenda and speakers for December 6-9 can be found at the end of this 10-page special report, and on the IP Week’s official website at www.ipweek.eu.
And what about next year? 2012 will continue to rhyme with IP for Premier Cercle. On 16-17 March, the 7th International Conference on IP in Paris will conduct the review and fuel debates just before the French presidential election. In December, there will be a big surprise with the IP Summit – or, in fact, two IP Summits - the first on patents on December 6 and 7, and the second on trademarks.
The latter will be held in Alicante, Spain with the support of OHIM on December 10 and 11. More details to come. Stay tuned.
