Licensing Executives Society (LES) Standard for Intellectual Capital in the Boardroom Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

ANSI Approval Demonstrates that the LES Intellectual Capital in the Boardroom Standard Meets Established Requirements for Developing a Seminal Standard

RESTON, Va. – September 28, 2022 -- The Licensing Executives Society of USA and Canada (LES) announced today that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the LES Intellectual Capital (IC) in the Boardroom (ICBR) standard (see ANSI/LES ICBR Version 1.0-2022 Intellectual Capital in the Boardroom). This is the first LES standard to be approved by ANSI and the first standard of its kind to guide board directors in their oversight of IC value and risk. The ICBR standard defines a basic set of requirements to enable company boards to better safeguard shareholder value through appropriate oversight and activation of IC value identification, protection, commercialization, and risk mitigation. Purchase and download the LES ICBR standard at https://members.lesusacanada.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=20731629.

Corporate board directors are accountable for safeguarding shareholder value, which now includes appropriate oversight of IC value enhancement and risk mitigation. This standard addresses IC oversight needs by articulating:

1. A simple five-step process that applies to all organizations at any level in all business sectors, regardless of maturity, size, or geographic location;
2. A translation matrix between legal, accounting, and business terminologies to enable the board to understand and stay focused only on material IC-related topics; and
3. Key principles enabling board directors to oversee strategic IC-management objectives in a non-proscriptive manner, while still appropriately discharging their duties.

Oversight of IC-management strategy is particularly important in today’s new economy, where IC often accounts for an increasing majority of aspects that drive material value and risk.

“The LES ICBR standard may be a game-changer for the business world concerning corporate directors’ oversight of some of their company’s most valuable, yet often least understood assets,” said LES President Scott Williams. “By providing critical guidance to boards in situations affecting the material value or competitive advantage of an enterprise, the LES standard helps organizations ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to safeguard and enhance assets of significant financial value and strategic importance.”

“We are extremely proud to have the LES Intellectual Capital in the Boardroom standard be our first ANSI-approved standard. It was developed over the course of six years, following ANSI’s rigorous process, which was led by subject-matter experts who are board directors and executives from organizations that are large and small, private and public. This ANSI stamp of approval means that the LES ICBR standards committee achieved our goal to provide guidance that enables boards to better understand and evaluate their company’s material IC and management strategy in their oversight of IC value enhancement and risk mitigation,” said Paul Roberts, LES ICBR Committee Chair.

Questions regarding the standard can be directed to the LES ICBR Committee Chair Paul Roberts by emailing ICBRstandards@LES.org. The ANSI-approved version of the LES standard incorporates the perspectives provided by stakeholders during a public review period, following which it received approval from the LES Board of Directors and the organization’s Consensus Standards Partnership (CSP) before its adoption and subsequent approval by ANSI.

Learn More at the LES Annual Member Meeting
Be a part of creating LES ANSI standards on IP by registering for the LES Annual Member Meeting in San Francisco, October 16-19, 2022, where LES Standards Initiative sessions and educational panels will be taking place on Monday, October 19, 2022, at 7:30 a.m. Pacific and on Tuesday, October 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Pacific. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/8aaa6401-1b5b-4ece-8ce2-0203ce4db460/summary.

Join the LES Standards Initiative
The ANSI-accredited LES standards program offers enterprises and individuals the appropriate practices and standards they need to improve the way they carry out IP transactions, protect their innovations, use IP in their business strategies and manage third-party IP. The Licensing Executive Society Standards Development Organization (LES SDO), an LES organizational initiative, is seeking participants for its standards-setting committees as well as for the Consensus Body Partnership (CSP). All interested parties are invited to join the LES SDO or the CSP by applying for an LES Standards Enterprise membership or CSP membership. To learn more, visit https://www.lesusacanada.org/licensing-standards-initiative/.

About the Licensing Executives Society (the U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, LES is a professional society of 2,800 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds — such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 7,500 members in 90 countries. More information is found at www.lesusacanada.org.

Licensing Executives Society (U.S. and Canada) recognizes the architects of three “Deals of Distinction™” and one President’s Award, as well as a licensing expert for making special contributions to the field

September 28, 2021 RESTON, Virginia—During a year of unprecedented reliance on intellectual property rights to solve massive global challenges through business collaborations, namely the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 and its profound disruptions of personal and business lives, today the Licensing Executive Society (USA & Canada) announced  that it is making a President’s Award and three Deals of Distinction™  Awards, along with the Frank Barnes Award. The Deals of Distinction Awards are given each year, to recognize major business transactions involving licensing, that exemplify best practices and creativity to achieve strategic business objectives, with a significant impact on advancing innovation in the industry Sectors that comprise LES.  Similarly, the Frank Barnes Award is given each year to celebrate an exceptional individual who embodies the highest cultural values of LES by selflessly investing their time and expertise in developing the careers of others – an outstanding mentor. 

The President’s Award is periodically given to recognize exceptional licensing activities. This year the awarded is being presented in recognition of an outstanding licensing deal that best represents the unprecedented commitment of the entire global biopharmaceutical community to meeting the existential challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.  LES makes this year’s award to recognize and celebrate the heroic contributions of dealmakers, licensing professionals and intellectual property professionals to expediting the business collaborations that have resulted in the availability of lifesaving vaccines and other disease countermeasures – in months rather than years. 

The award recipients will be recognized as part of the Society’s 57th Annual Meeting, which for the second consecutive year will take place virtually.  Announcements will be made immediately after the Annual Business Meeting on 28 September 2021, and the Annual Meeting will feature sessions during the annual meeting with some of the recipients of the Deals of Distinction and the President’s Award.

“The dynamics that have unfolded over the past year as the result of the global pandemic have demonstrated the full value of intellectual property (IP), innovation, and collaboration to our world.  We are proud to celebrate the commitment and creativity of LES members and our colleagues in all of the professions that come together to make a success of R&D, manufacturing, supply, financing, and many other types of deals grounded in patents and other forms of IP.  The pandemic has spotlighted the value of deals in expediting the development and delivery globally of novel vaccines and therapeutics against a previously unknown pathogen,” said LES President Gillian Fenton. “LES members should be proud of our contributions to fighting the virus that causes COVID-19.”

Today, LES acknowledges the following companies and institutions with awards for Deals of Distinction™, which recognize those executed deals that the Society considers to be landmark achievements within their industry sectors:

• Life Sciences Sector: Denali Therapeutics and Biogen
• High Tech Sector: Xperi and Comcast
• Industry University Government Interface Sector: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), the University of Texas – Austin/Dartmouth/The Scripps Research Institute
• President’s Award: BioNTech and Pfizer

Life Sciences Sector Winner
Deal of Distinction™
Denali Therapeutics and Biogen

Denali Therapeutics and Biogen are recognized for their worldwide collaboration for development of a small molecule LRRK2 inhibitors for treatment of Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders. The partnership represents an opportunity to advance the development of a potential first-in-class oral therapy that may slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease with significant unmet medical needs due to the absence of approved therapies that may slow disease progression

High Tech Sector Winner
Deal of Distinction™
Xperi and Comcast

Xperi and Comcast, both holders of significant intellectual property in the “media” segment, are recognized for their long-term patent license agreement. The “media” segment of technology evolves rapidly, creating uncertainty in the long-term value of intellectual property in the space. The agreement illustrated the awardees’ combined ability to identify and agree on the relative long term value of their respective patent portfolios in view of significant technological disruption and business evolution in the “media” area of technology.

Industry University Government Interface Sector Winner
Deal of Distinction™
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH),
University of Texas – Austin/Dartmouth/The Scripps Research Institute

The path to rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine was cleared by a research collaboration between scientists at the NIH Vaccine Research Center at NIAID, the Scripps Research Institute, Dartmouth College and the University of Texas-Austin. The 2020 nonexclusive license of the stabilized spike protein discovery from that collaboration to BioNTech – with that company’s subsequent partnership with Pfizer producing an mRNA-based vaccine first launched in 2020 administered over 178 million times.

President’s Award
BioNTech and Pfizer

The entire world, including the LES community, has been following the COVID-19 pandemic and its many negative impacts on people’s lives, families, careers, businesses, and global commerce. As licensing professionals, we have risen to the challenge of creating the numerous business-to-business, academia-to-private sector, and government and NGO funding agreements through which all of our industry sectors, notably the Life Sciences Sector, have responded to this existential threat. The President’s Award is made this year to celebrate the Pfizer and BioNTech collaboration and licensing agreement as exemplifying best practices and its unique global impact in our fight against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Beyond the Deals of Distinction™ and the President’s Award, LES also celebrates an outstanding LES member by awarding the Frank Barnes Award. This individual award recognizes the member’s significant contributions, across the entire arc of their career, in giving back to the profession through mentorship. The Frank Barnes Award was established in 2000 by LES members and endowed in honor of Frank Barnes’ vast contributions to the field of licensing through mentorship.

Frank Barnes Mentor Award Winner
Francois Painchaud

Mr. Painchaud receives this award in recognition of the help, guidance, and mentorship that he has selflessly offered to countless members of LES and LESI over the years, efforts that, in part, were responsible for the unofficial title he earned, the ‘ dean of pharma licensing.’ “He has been a mentor in the organization for multiple members of LES, including myself,” emphasized Vincent Bergeron, International Chair of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI)’s YMC Committee. “If it were not for Francois, I might not be involved with LES at all. He had the passion and the patience to act as a mentor for me to join LES, and to really get engaged.”

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

Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 1,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds -- such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 6,500 members in 90 countries. For more information about LES, go to www.lesusacanada.org. 

The purpose of this voluntary standard is to improve board oversight of Intellectual Capital (IC) management because a company’s IC management drives the ability to convert that IC into enterprise value or mitigate related risk. 

RESTON, Va. –July 2, 2021– The Licensing Executives Society of USA and Canada (LES) today commences a 60-day public review period for the LES draft voluntary standard "INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL IN THE BOARDROOM: A Practical Standard to Enhance Value and Reduce Risk.” The public review period concludes on September 2, 2021.

Developed by the LES IC in the Boardroom Standards Committee  LES Standards - Licensing Executives Society (LES) (lesusacanada.org), the draft standard defines a common set of expectations to which company boards can aspire in safeguarding shareholder value through appropriate oversight and activation of IC value identification, protection, commercialization and risk mitigation.

In our present day “new economy,” corporate boards are responsible for safeguarding shareholder value, which now includes oversight of material intellectual capital (IC).  This IC may extend to everything created or usable by the enterprise, known as “structural capital.” The IC may include everything that everybody within an enterprise is capable of creating, known as “(human capital.’ Or, the IC may result from an enterprise’s strategic relationships, known as “relational capital.” Any of these situations may provide material value or competitive advantage for an enterprise that boards need to understand in order to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated safeguard assets of significant financial value and strategic importance.

LES encourages those interested in learning more about the standard, and contributing their thoughts and perspectives to its refinement, to take part in the public review by visiting the Public Review Website at https://members.lesusacanada.org/page/Standards-Review.

“Many of today’s enterprises are steeped in intellectual capital,” said LES President and Chair Gillian Fenton. “For example, while Uber does not own automobiles and Airbnb doesn’t own hotel rooms, companies like these drive disruptive business models yielding tremendous value.  So, boards need to ensure they are appropriately overseeing their material IC in terms of its value-preservation and enhancement, as well as IC-related risk mitigation. The proposed standard may be a game changer for the business world in terms of corporate directors’ oversight of some of their company’s most valuable, yet often least understood, assets, that is embodied in their IC."

The LES IC in the Boardroom Standards Committee is led by subject-matter experts who are board directors and executives from organizations that are large and small, private and public. The document contains a set of management system requirements around IC that is applicable to all organizations at any level in all business sectors, regardless of type, size, geographic location, industry sector, products, or services provided.

The LES Standards Initiative has encouraged IP thought leaders around the globe to participate in the public review of LES draft standard throughout its development. As an accredited standards developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), LES now is providing a 60-day public review period to encourage manufacturers, distributors, and any interested stakeholders to represent each organization’s best interests while helping to shape this field for the future.
This most recent draft of the standard incorporates the perspectives provided by stakeholders during a previous public review period a year ago. Upon completion of the public review period, the standard must appropriately address the public comments, receive approval from the LES Board of Directors and an affirmative vote from the organization’s Consensus Standards Partnership (CSP) before it is adopted.

"It was a rigorous process for the LES Standards Committee to develop this standard,” said Committee Chair Paul Roberts. “Our goal is to provide methods that enable boards to better understand and evaluate their company’s material IC and management strategy in their oversight of IC value-enhancement and risk mitigation.”

Join the LES Standards Initiative
The ANSI-accredited LES Standards program offers enterprises and individuals the best practices and standards they need to improve the way they do IP transactions, protect their innovation, use IP in their business strategies, and manage third-party IP. To learn more, visit: https://www.lesusacanada.org/licensing-standards-initiative/

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 of 2,800 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, dealmakers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds — such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 7,500 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

LES Contact: Hillary Brintle, LES Administrator
Email: standards@les.org

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To learn about the LES Standards Public Review, Click here

The purpose of this voluntary standard is to provide practical requirements in establishing and implementing an Intellectual Property (IP) Protection Management System (IPPMS) aimed at achieving improvements in the protection of all types of IP within an organization and throughout all levels of its global supply chain.

RESTON, Va. – April 16, 2021 – Intellectual property, or “IP,” represents the most significant asset possessed by many corporations, manufacturers, distributors, and others engaged in international commerce. It therefore simultaneously represents the biggest opportunity and one of the most significant risks to the global supply chain. Given the complexities of IP, its security requires that market participants understand and correctly implement protections to safeguard trademarks, copyrights, and patents, both internally and across global supply chains.

Today, the Licensing Executives Society of USA and Canada (LES) commenced a 45-day public review period for the LES draft standard "Protecting Intellectual Property (IP) in the Global Supply Chain.” The public review period concludes on May 31, 2021. Developed by the LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee, the draft standard defines a common set of expectations to which companies can aspire—and tactics they can employ—on a voluntary basis to protect their IP across global networks of business partners, suppliers, and customers.

LES encourages those interested in learning more about the standard and contributing their thoughts and perspectives to its refinement, to take part in the public review by visiting the Public Review Website at https://members.lesusacanada.org/page/Standards-Review 

“The global supply chain brings both risk and reward for intellectual property and the purpose of this standard is to mitigate those risks in a manner that doesn’t dilute opportunities,” said LES President and Chair Gillian Fenton. “Across industries and borders, the events of the past year have underscored how global collaboration can serve economic and public interests, and how IP lives at the epicenter of that reality. The draft standard will help companies understand that filing patents, registering trademarks, and relying on contracts are not enough to protect IP in today’s global economy. Our standard will allow companies to be more proactive in demonstrating their commitment to protecting their most precious assets and, in so doing, allow all to more confidently access the significant benefits of the global supply chain."

The LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee is led by subject-matter experts from organizations across the supply chain industry, including corporations, institutions of higher learning, consulting firms, and law firms. The document contains a set of management system requirements around IP that includes policies and procedures, risk assessment, third-party management, information technology and physical security, monitoring and corrective actions, training and awareness building, and senior management commitment.

In particular, the Committee points to three notable characteristics of the standard that will make it particularly well-suited to serve the needs of the marketplace:

1. It’s flexible. The standard incorporates a “maturity matrix,” giving companies the ability to use a one-to-five scale to determine what level of adherence to the standard is appropriate for them and/or others in their end-to-end supply chain, and over what time period.
2. It’s practice-based. The standard was developed with direct and ongoing connection to the IP challenges and prevailing realities of those tasked with IP management and protection across global supply chains
3. It’s applicable across the entire supply chain. A company can make use of the standard in multiple ways and in a manner that it self-determines—as an internal checklist, to verify adherence of supply-chain partners, and/or as a reference for a third party conducting an independent audit.

The LES Standards Initiative has encouraged IP thought leaders around the globe to participate in the public review of LES draft standard throughout its development. As an Accredited Standards Developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), LES now is providing a 45-day public review period to encourage manufacturers, distributors, and any interested stakeholders to represent each organization’s best interests while helping to shape this field for the future.

This most recent draft of the standard incorporates the perspectives provided by stakeholders during a previous public review period a year ago. Upon completion of the public review period, the standard must receive approval from the LES Board of Directors and an affirmative vote from the organization’s Consensus Standards Partnership (CSP) before it is adopted.

"It was a rigorous process for the LES Standards Committee to develop this standard,” said Committee Chair Craig Moss. “Our goal is to create shared expectations for the elements of an IP protection management system and to enable any company to show that it has the business processes in place to protect its own IP and the IP of third parties. Incorporating the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders took time, effort, and collaboration. The result is a standard that takes a pragmatic approach, striking the appropriate balance of providing guidance to ensure adherence with best practices without obligations that might make the standard too complicated or onerous to adopt.”
 
Get Involved in the LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee
To become a member of the LES Standards program and the LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee, visit https://members.lesusacanada.org/page/lesstandards. LES Standards Committee members interested in joining the IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee can register on the LES website to take advantage of participating in meetings and calls.
 
Join the LES Standards Initiative
The ANSI-accredited LES Standards program offers enterprises and individuals the best practices and standards they need to improve the way they do IP transactions, protect their innovation, use IP in their business strategies, and manage third-party IP. To learn more, visit: https://www.lesusacanada.org/licensing-standards-initiative/ 
 
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 of 2,800 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, dealmakers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds — such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 7,500 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

RESTON, Va. – Oct. 20, 2020 --The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) has elected new members to its Board of Directors for 2020-2021. The additions extend the organization's broad leadership representation from the IP and licensing industry, ensuring that LES continues to engage and empower those involved in LES' intellectual property (IP) and standards communities while progressing toward its goals.

“Welcome to the new LES Board of Directors, a talented and diverse group of high character and motivated individuals with strong leadership skills and a vast array of experience in advancing the business of intellectual property. Their proven acumen will further allow LES to strategically move forward in delivering value to our membership, pursuing our key initiatives, and otherwise improving our membership experience and enhancing the brand of LES,” said outgoing LES President and Chair Gary Fedorochko.

As part of the Executive Committee's seamless leadership transition, Gillian Fenton, previously LES' president-elect, moves into the role of president and chair of LES. Director Scott Williams has been named president- and chair-elect, and Rachel Kreppel is continuing her role as counsel to the board.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve LES as this year’s Board Chair, and to enhance LES’ value to our members. I am committed to leading strategic and cultural changes to advance the LES vision and mission and lead the Society through the pandemic and associated economic sea change throughout the coming year," said Fenton. "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Gary Fedorochko for his dedicated service to LES during his term as President and Chair. Gary’s commitment and agile leadership has inspired me to envision a bright future for LES.”

The full roster is available on the LES website.

2020-2021 Officers

President and Chair of the Board – Gillian Fenton
President-Elect and Chair-Elect of the Board – Scott Williams
Immediate Past-President and Past-Chair of the Board - Gary Fedorochko
Secretary – Kevin Spivak
Treasurer – Michele Riley
Counsel – Rachel Kreppel

New 2020-2021 Directors
Julie Barnes-Weise
Vincent Bergeron
Mihaela Bojin
Michael Perham

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

For over 50 years, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) has been the leading association for intellectual property (IP), technology, and business development professionals. The Society brings IP and licensing groups together to network, collaborate, and discuss some of the most critical issues facing the industry today and tomorrow. The LES community drives strategy, transactions, and deals involving intellectual property, business, and law, to fuel the evolving innovation economy. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

RESTON, Va. – October 16, 2020 – The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) (LES) is pleased to announce that the Society will present its 2020 Awards for outstanding achievements and service at its Annual Meeting. LES will present the annual Deals of Distinction™ Awards and the Frank Barnes Mentor Award on Friday, October 16, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. LES will present the Presidential Award on Monday, October 19, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Registration and conference information are available at https://lesmeetings.org/am20/.

Four Companies Honored with Deals of Distinction™ Awards

LES President and Chair Gary Fedorochko will recognize the 2020 LES Deals of Distinction™ Awards recipients. The 2020 recipients are four companies that orchestrated the year’s most outstanding licensing and business deals in four key sectors and include:

• Chemicals, Energy, Environment & Materials Sector: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company and The University of Houston – Low-Frequency Seismic Technology License and Consortium Foundational Agreement
• High Technology Sector: University of Chicago, Configuration Dynamics and Underwriter Laboratories for their Software Technology Commercialization deal
• Industry-University-Government Interface Sector: Oregon Health & Science University and Illumina – Single-Cell Genome Sequencing Processes and Tools License
• Life Sciences Sector: Sangamo Therapeutics and Biogen -- A broad global R&D collaboration for gene regulation therapies to treat neurological diseases

“Through well-organized commercialization of intellectual property, we can drive growth across all business sectors in our global economy, from traditional business products to emerging product technologies. The 2020 award winners through creative licensing deals allow the potential of exciting and powerful innovations to be commercially realized, and we are pleased to recognize their success,” said Fedorochko. “Our thanks go to the Awards Committee for highlighting the continued achievements of LES members.”

Steven M. Ferguson Named 2020 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award Recipient

LES Awards Committee Chair Don Drinkwater will present Steven M. Ferguson, CLP, Special Advisor at NIH’s Office of Technology Transfer, with the 2020 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award. Like Mr. Barnes, Ferguson has devoted his career to inspiring and encouraging further innovation in the licensing sector and is a mentor for the broader technology transfer community.

“Steve’s service to LES has been truly admirable. He is an expert, a socially-aware leader, and an educator. In his nearly 30-year career in technology transfer, he has trained and mentored dozens and dozens of licensing professionals,” said Fedorochko. “He continues to be a leading light to all technology transfer professionals, always gracious and generous in sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm about the field. Congratulations to Steve from the entire LES community.”

Bill Elkington Honored with 2020 LES Presidential Award

For his driving energy around Intellectual Capital Management (ICM) and his championing of the LES Standards Initiative since its inception, Bill Elkington, Mind IC managing member, LES past president, and past LES Standards chair, will be presented with the LES Presidential Award. As the highest honor that LES can give to a community member, the award recognizes Elkington for his outstanding contribution to the Society’s health, vibrancy, and well-being.

“Bill’s passion and warm personality, in addition to his sharp intellect, make him an immutable force when it comes to ICM and standards of excellence,” said Drinkwater. “His launch of the LES Standards program has transformed the organization, resulting in an ANSI-accredited program with eight active standards committees. Bill has a deep understanding of the business of licensing and ICM, through which he has served our profession faithfully for decades by his leadership and strength of character. We, as a profession, are better because of Bill.”

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

For over 50 years, the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) has been the leading association for intellectual property (IP), technology, and business development professionals. The Society brings IP and licensing groups together to network, collaborate, and discuss some of the most critical issues facing the industry today and tomorrow. The LES community drives strategy, transactions, and deals involving intellectual property, business, and law, to fuel the evolving innovation economy. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

Manufacturers and Other Global Supply Chain Stakeholders Encouraged to Review and Comment on Standard 

RESTON, Va. – March 30, 2020 -- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) today announced the start of a 60-day public review period for the LES draft standard "Protecting Intellectual Property (IP) in the Global Supply Chain." This formal call for comment is made by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), as published in the March 27th edition of the ANSI Standards Action. Stakeholders are invited to comment on the standard through the public review period, which expires May 26, 2020. Stakeholders and the public at large can review the standard and provide comments by visiting https://www.lesusacanada.org/page/Standards-Review.
 
Developed by the LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee, the draft standard defines a common set of expectations for what companies can and should do to protect their own IP and the IP of customers, suppliers, and partners. The Committee's vision is to develop voluntary consensus standards for business processes requiring the disclosure and sharing of IP throughout the supply chain, from concept through finished product. It represents a consensus of a diverse collection of stakeholders in supply chain manufacturing. The standard is not intended to replace legal and contractual IP protection methods, but instead to supplement them by establishing performance standards for an IP protection management system and business processes designed to protect all types of IP in the global supply chain.
 
As an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer, LES encourages IP thought leaders everywhere to participate in the development and review of these voluntary consensus standards for IP management practices that are fair, effective, and prudent. The LES Standards Initiative encourages IP and supply chain thought leaders around the globe to participate in the public review of the LES draft standard.

"The LES IP Protection in Supply Chain draft standard provides guidelines for fostering a stronger culture of IP protection throughout the supply chain," said LES President and Chair of the Board Gary Fedorochko. "The draft standard will help companies understand that filing patents, registering trademarks, and relying on contracts are not enough to protect IP in today's global economy. We hope that ultimately the standard will help companies gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating that they have a commitment to protect IP -- and that they are doing something about it."
 
The LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee is led by subject matter experts from organizations across the supply chain industry, including operating companies, academia, consulting firms, and law firms. The standard provides a consensus view of effective practices in areas such as: IP policies and procedures; risk assessment; third-party management; information technology and physical security; monitoring and corrective actions; training and awareness building; and senior management commitment.
 
"The LES IP Protection in Supply Chain draft standard is one of the first to address protection for intellectual property in the supply chain," said LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Standards Committee Chair Craig Moss. "Our goal is to create shared expectations for the elements of an IP protection management system and to enable any company to show that it has the business processes in place to protect its own IP and the IP of third parties -- customers, suppliers, distributors, joint venture partners, and anyone else involved. In today's digital world, protecting IP is critical to all companies regardless of their location and position in the supply chain."
 
Join the LES Standards Initiative
To become a member of the LES Standards Initiative, and any of its working committees, including the LES IP Protection in Supply Chain Committee, visit https://www.lesusacanada.org/page/lesstandards. Participation in the LES Standards Initiative affords enterprises and individuals the opportunity to participate in the creation of consensus-based, voluntary standards for IP management, and to learn first-hand from peers about IP practices developed and deployed throughout the innovation ecosystem.
 
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 of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, dealmakers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds — such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

Licensing Executive Society Names Jeffrey S. Whittle the Frank Barnes Mentor Award Recipient

For His Outstanding Work as Mentor in the Field of Licensing, Whittle Will Be Honored During the Society’s Annual Meeting Award Ceremony, October 22, in Phoenix

RESTON, Va. – Oct. 22, 2019 -- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) (LES) today announced that it has selected intellectual property (IP) attorney Jeffrey S. Whittle, LES past president and a former member of the LES Board of Directors, as the recipient of the 2019 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award. Whittle is the managing partner of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Houston office and a co-lead of the law firm’s Energy Sector team. His longtime mentorship activities in the field of licensing have qualified him for one of the highest honors that LES can give to a member of the licensing community. He joins a long and distinguished line of winners who, like Frank Barnes himself, advanced the LES mission by generously sharing their time and talents to support their colleagues.

Established in 2000 by LES to memorialize Barnes' contributions to the field of licensing, the award is presented annually to one LES member who has dedicated considerable time and energy to mentoring fellow licensing professionals. Whittle will be honored at theLES Annual Meeting Frank Barnes Award Celebration held during today’s Keynote Speaker Luncheon with Microsoft for Startups Managing Director Shaloo Garg, from Noon to 1:45 p.m., at theJW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. All attendees are welcome.

"This year by wide acclaim, the award selection committee is pleased to present Jeffrey with the 2019 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award. Jeffrey is a natural mentor and has devoted his entire career to inspire and encourage further innovation in the licensing sector. Additionally, Jeffrey has always been a trusted advisor and mentor for our community," said Don Drinkwater, chair of the Frank Barnes Award Committee, former LES Board of Directors member and past president of the LES Foundation. "In addition to embodying many of Frank Barnes' estimable mentor qualities, his service to LES has been truly admirable. Congratulations to Jeffrey from the whole organization."

Whittle is a past president and chair of LES (2015-2016), and he served on the LES Board for over seven years. He is currently Co-Chair of the Americas Committee for Licensing Executives Society International (LESI). He was named 2018 Global IP Attorney of the Year by Legal Era and received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Houston Law Center. A Certified Licensing Professional, he is a frequent and highly sought-after speaker and author, nationally and internationally, on various intellectual property, licensing, and technology topics.

Whittle’s IP practice serves U.S. and international clients in the energy and high-tech industries. He advises on strategic and complex technology transactions, licensing, patent protection, portfolio analysis, and other contentious and transactional intellectual property matters including inter partes reexaminations, post-grant reviews and derivation proceedings, among other disputed cases.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, dealmakers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds -- such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. For more information about LES, go to www.lesusacanada.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Licensing Executives Society Announces Distinguished Board of Directors for 2019-2020 Term

Diverse Group Includes Intellectual Property and Licensing Leaders Representing Innovation-Centered Organizations of All Sizes and Types

RESTON, Va. – Oct. 21, 2019 --The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) has elected new members to itsBoard of Directors for 2019-2020. The additions extend the organization's broad leadership representation from the licensing industry, ensuring that LES continues to engage and empower those involved in LES' intellectual property (IP) and standards communities while progressing toward its goals.

"Welcome to the new LES Board of directors, a diverse group with strong leadership skills and broad experience in the licensing industry. Their abilities and expertise will enable LES to continue moving forward energetically on our important initiatives, contributing to the advancement of our members and our sectors," said outgoing LES President and Chair Bob Held.

As part of the Executive Committee's seamless leadership transition, Gary Fedorochko, previously LES' president-elect, moves into the role of president and chair of LES. Director Gillian Fenton has been named president- and chair-elect, and Rachel Kreppel is now counsel to the board.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve LES and represent our members. I am committed to working diligently to advance the LES vision and mission and hope to connect and inspire everyone involved in LES and the broader licensing industry," said Fedorochko. "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Bob Held for his dedicated service to LES during his term as President and Chair. Bob’s commitment and leadership has provided me with a roadmap to continue enhancing LES.”

The full roster, including photos and biographies, is available on the LES website.

2019-2020 Executive Committee
President and Chair of the Board – Gary Fedorochko
President-Elect and Chair-Elect of the Board – Gillian Fenton
Immediate Past-President and Past-Chair of the Board – Bob Held
Secretary – Kevin Spivak
Treasurer – Mike Pellegrino
Counsel – Rachel Kreppel

New 2019-2020 Directors
Jim Bratton
Ann Cannoni
Evelyn Chen
Ian DiBernardo
Lalit Gaur
Louise Levien
Annemarie Meike
Lesley Millar-Nicholson
Karthika Perumal
Karen Temple
Eric Victory
Scott Williams

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds -- such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. For more information about LES, go towww.lesusacanada.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LES to Honor 15th Annual Deals of Distinction™ Award Winners at its Phoenix Annual Meeting, October 21-23

LES Members to Be Recognized for Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Licensing Business Deals at LES 2019 Annual Meeting in Phoenix, October 21

RESTON, VA. – Sept. 30, 2019 -- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A and Canada), Inc. (LES) today announced the recipients of its Deals of Distinction™ Awards in four industry sectors. The annual program, now in its fifteenth year, recognizes the LES member companies that orchestrated the year's most outstanding licensing and business deals in each sector. The awards will be presented during the LES Annual Meeting Award Luncheon, Monday, October 21, 2019, at the Phoenix JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Several key dealmakers will be on hand to provide insights on their winning deals.

• Register today for the LES Annual Meeting, Oct. 21-23, in Phoenix

" Through well-organized commercialization of intellectual property, we can drive growth across all business sectors in our global economy, from traditional business products to emerging product technologies. The 2019 award winners demonstrate exciting and impactful innovations within the licensing industry, and we are pleased to recognize their success," said LES President and Chair Bob Held. "At our Annual Meeting in Phoenix, we'll celebrate these deals in a variety of ways, as well as hearing from our members and the dealmakers themselves, about the key aspects of those deals. Our thanks go to the Awards Committee for highlighting the continued achievements of LES members."

This year's Deals of Distinction™ Award recipients include:

• Chemicals, Energy, Environment & Materials Sector: Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Commonwealth Fusion Systems -- MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems launch novel approach to fusion power
• High Technology Sector: Sisvel International S.A. and RPX Corporation -- "Aggregator meets Aggregator": Sisvel and RPX ink major Wi-Fi SEP licensing deal
• Industry-University-Government Interface Sector: Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Pittsburgh; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. -- Rare pediatric disease dataset license
• Life Sciences Sector: Dicerna Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company - Global licensing and research collaboration focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of RNAi therapies in cardio-metabolic disease, neurodegeneration and pain.

All LES members attending the Annual Meeting are invited to the Award Luncheon. Additional information about the October 20-23 LES Annual Meeting, including registration instructions, can be found at https://lesmeetings.org/. Previous honorees and their award-winning deals are listed at www.lesusacanada.org/?dda.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds -- such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries. For more information about LES, go to www.lesusacanada.org.

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Licensing Executives Society’s Annual Meeting Brings Together World-Renowned Speakers and Cutting-Edge Programming, October 20-23, in Phoenix

LES Annual Meeting’s Multi-Track Program Will Offer Attendees Industry-Wide and Sector-Specific Content Delivered by a World-Class Lineup of Speakers.

RESTON, Va. -- July 30, 2019 -- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) today announced the speaker lineup and topics for the LES 2019 Annual Meeting, October 20-23, 2019, at the Phoenix JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The highly anticipated three-day event is expected to convene more than hundreds of executives and will feature a speaker roster of notable business leaders and members of the licensing and intellectual capital management communities. Registration and conference information are available at https://lesmeetings.org/

This year’s meeting features nearly 70 sessions with more than 100 expert speakers, including keynote speakers Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice Makan Delrahim, Google Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist Vinton Cerf, Microsoft Managing Director for Startups Shaloo Garg, and many more.

"The impressive 2019 Annual Meeting program showcases the role of LES at the forefront of the evolving innovation economy," said LES President and Chairman Bob Held. “Delivering on our mission to educate our members and position them for success, this year's array of world-class speakers will offer ground-breaking perspectives and authoritative insights into the topics most important to today's industry professionals. It's the one event this year that anyone involved in IP and licensing can't afford to miss."

The Annual Meeting will bring IP and licensing professional groups together to network, collaborate and discuss some of the most critical issues facing the industry. Highlights include:

• Opening Plenary Session with Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice Makan Delrahim
• “Patent Trial and Appeal Board Fireside Chat” with speakers Paul Michel, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Retired; and Scott R. Boalick, Chief Judge for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) at the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO)
• Sessions and educational panels that will explore the development and protection of IP commerce, licensing, intellectual capital management and the LES Standards Initiative
• The LES Deals of Distinction Award will be presented to companies that orchestrated the year’s most outstanding licensing and business deals in each sector. Several key dealmakers will be on hand to provide insights on their winning deals.
• Opportunity to meet with sector leaders to discuss the results of LES High Tech Sector, and Life Sciences Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Surveys - an analysis of exclusive findings and compelling trends gleaned from the investigation of thousands of licensing agreements.

In addition to the keynote speakers, LES sector experts have designed customized tracks with educational sessions, interactive workshops and networking opportunities to enhance engagement and to maximize the meeting’s value for attendees in every sector.

LES would like to give special thanks to its 2019 Annual Meeting sponsors and media partners. For more information about the conference, sponsorships or registration, visit https://lesmeetings.org/.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org.

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If enacted, this legislation will strengthen the U.S. patent system, reduce abuse, and ameliorate many of the unintended consequences that have crept into the U.S. patent system since the passage of the America Invents Act (AIA), and as a result of a series of unfortunate court decisions.  With the STRONGER Patents Act of 2019, Congress will re-affirm innovation and intellectual property rights as pillars of the American economy, and will regain its proper role in setting prudent IP policy. 

The American inventor is the embodiment of the pioneering spirit that made the U.S. economy the envy of the world.  Our innovative spirit has been fueled by a patent system conferring a valuable property right on inventors – the right to exclude others from exploiting the inventor’s creation.  Without that property right, innovation withers, investment declines, and economic activity is diminished.  By increasing the strength and durability of U.S. patents, inventors more actively create, the public enjoys those creations, and new industries flourish.  LES is committed to working with Congress and the executive branch on initiatives to further improve the U.S. patent system, including industry self-regulation to build consensus and to promote prudent IP practices (LES Standards Initiative, https://www.lesusacanada.org/page/lesstandards).   Over the past several years, the U.S. patent system has lost its place as the perennial world leader in value, reliability, and durability.  (https://www.theglobalipcenter.com/u-s-chamber-releases-2019-international-ip-index/).  We need to reverse that trend.  The STRONGER Patents Act of 2019 is an important step in that direction.  

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.:
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org

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Download Press Release here

Bill Would Restore Certainty, and Revitalize Incentives for Innovation

RESTON, VIRGINIA — June 5, 2019 — The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. commends Senators Tillis and Coons, and Representatives Collins, Johnson, and Stivers, in their proposed language for a bill to reform Section 101 of the Patent Act. This is sensible reform that will improve our patent system and further encourage innovation.

This draft legislation is an important step forward in restoring certainty to our patent system. The innovative American spirit has been supported and encouraged by a patent system designed and implemented to reward inventors by affording them an exclusive right to their inventions. A system that affords predictable and reliable legal protections to a vast array of products and processes improves the human condition, encourages the devotion of time and talent to their creation, and attracts investment in new industries and businesses.

Recently, the law of patent eligibility has been altered by judicial decisions confusing distinct legal principles of what constitutes the act of invention with what field of endeavor should be eligible for protection. Throughout much of its history, the U.S. patent system used patent eligibility as a crude filter merely to ensure that patent protection was properly limited by the Constitutional mandate to promote the progress of useful arts. As such, useful inventions were the touchstone of patent eligibility. Other sections of the law dealt with the merits of the particular claimed invention. The confusion of those distinct legal principles caused our patent system to suffer from increased uncertainty and diminished reliance, and our economy suffered from a corresponding reduction in investment.

Judicial decisions are necessarily ad hoc, born of specific facts giving rise to peculiar disputes. Precedent is a poor vehicle for policy. Congress is right to resume its rightful role in setting our nation’s patent policy by reiterating and restoring the traditional notion of patent eligibility as a broad and inclusive concept. In so doing, and in giving it the force and effect of law, Congress would further encourage innovation in wide-ranging and diverse fields of endeavor thereby bringing new products and processes into being for the benefit of all of humanity.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.:
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,000 members in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org

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Download the press release here.

Licensing Executives Society to Welcome Former USPTO Director and Distinguished Leaders at Silicon Valley USPTO Event on May 14, 2019

LES Draws Top Technology, Licensing, and IP Minds for a Day of Interactive Discussion on How Intellectual Capital Management and Standards Can Enhance the Innovation Economy

San Jose, Calif. -- March 20, 2019 -- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) announced today that registration is open for its inaugural LES Leading Edge Series event, Driving Innovation: Standards in Licensing and Intellectual Capital Management, at the Silicon Valley U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in San Jose. The highly anticipated, one-day event will feature a speaker line-up of notable business leaders and members of the technology and intellectual property (IP) communities. The full agenda and speaker list are available on the LES website here. Early bird registration pricing is available through March 29, 2019.

• Register for the May 14th LES Event at the USPTO titled Driving Innovation: Standards in Licensing and Intellectual Capital Management

“We’re thrilled to have Cravath, Swaine & Moore Partner David Kappos, former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, as well as Silicon Valley USPTO  Director John Cabeca among the world-class speakers we have assembled for our inaugural LES Leading Edge Series event,” said LES President and Chair Bob Held. “It will be a high-level educational experience for technology and IP professionals looking for cutting-edge information on how intellectual capital management and standards enhance success in the innovation economy.”

Kappos will deliver the LES keynote titled “Behavioral Issues in Licensing of SEPs and other IP — Defining Acceptable and Best Practices through Voluntary Standards.” As Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the USPTO, Kappos was instrumental in achieving legislative reform of the U.S. patent system. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost leaders in the field of intellectual capital, including IP management and strategy; the development of global IP norms, laws and practice; and the commercialization and enforcement of innovation-based assets.

Among the featured LES Leading Edge Series event speakers, moderators and panelists will be business and technology leaders from Avanci; Avasta Incorporated; Center for Intellectual Property; Collins Aerospace; Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Ericsson; Finjan Holdings, Inc.; GE Ventures; InventionShare; PIUS Limited, LLC; Prasad IP, PC; Science Futures, Inc.; Stout Risius Ross, LLC; Tangible IP; The Boeing Company; USPTO; and Visa among others.

Program topics will explore some of the biggest challenges technologists and IP professionals face today and reveal best practices around intellectual capital management and standards. Session highlights include:

• Standards in Licensing and Intellectual Capital Management
• Innovation, Interoperability and Efficiency Through Standards
• Improving IP Valuation Outcomes Through the Use of Standards
• IP Management for Startups
• Intangible Assets in the Boardroom

For more information about the conference, sponsorships or registration, visit http://lesmeetings.org/leadingedge/standards-in-icm/

About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 33 societies representing more than 8,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

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Survey Results Offer an Inside Look at Deal Dynamics across a Wide Range of High Tech Sectors from Aerospace, Computing, Communications to Electronics, Medical, and Beyond.

RESTON, VIRGINIA — March 5, 2019 — The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. today announced the results of its third, comprehensive LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey. Conducted by LES High Tech Sector in coordination with LES, the survey addresses the elusive gaps in industry-specific deals and trends. The LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey is available free-of-charge to members to download, and non-members may purchase the report here.

• Learn more about the LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey Report
• Register for the LES Leading Edge Series event at the USPTO-Silicon Valley in San Jose

"Much has changed in the world of patents and IP licensing. The LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey provides access to rare industry-specific data on sector IP licensing royalty rates and deal terms not available from other sources," said LES President and Chair Bob Held. "Due to the effects of the America Invents Act and other judicial rulings, the report data indicates that the sector is increasingly relying on collaborations and deal-making as part of high-tech growth initiatives. As always, we thank all the participants in the survey as well as the LES Survey Committee and Vault Consulting for their work in fielding the survey, analyzing the results and generating the final report."

LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey
The survey went out to approximately 2,469 LES members and 17,431 non-members, resulting in a higher response rate of 6.3% compared with 5% in 2014. A total of 155 specific intellectual property deals transacted between 2014 and 2017 were analyzed. Deals of all types were submitted including sales and licenses; out-licenses and in-licenses; lump sum and running royalty; and flat and tiered loyalty.

"The valuable data we've gathered through the LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey is not available from other public and commercial sources and reveals much more insight into the dynamics of the licensing market, given that we have the unique ability to analyze and compare the transaction-level data going back to 2008," said Jack Lu, Ph.D., CFA, LES Senior Vice President of Economic Analysis and Survey, and a Partner and Chief Economist of IPMAP, LLC.

Survey Highlights
The LES High Tech Sector Royalty Rates & Deal Terms Survey addresses major fields including aerospace, software, clean technology, communications, medical devices, semiconductors, consumer products, electronics, and computers. Highlights gleaned from the 155 distinct deals include:

• 88% of respondents were licensors with 35% having entered into deals for monetary gains; 28% for strategic purposes; 11% for a Standards Essential Patent (SEP) licensing; and 10% as part of an assertion strategy
• 67% or two-thirds of deals had an academic or governmental licensor
• 61% of IP licensed assets included patents; 36% had software, copyrights or trademarks; and 34% had know-how or trade secret components
• 48% of deals were exclusive grants and 45% were non-exclusive
• 36% of the licensed technology was either in production or fully developed. The aerospace industry had the highest average royalty rates at 11.69%, a 7% increase over the 2014 survey
• 35% of licensors entered into deals to support new products, a 13% increase over the 2014 survey

Survey Design and Methodology
The surveys were designed by committees of experienced LES members within the High Tech Sector who worked alongside an independent team from Vault Consulting on design, dissemination, data collection, and analysis to ensure confidentiality. Vault Consulting enabled LES to issue and collect the results while keeping the identities of the submitters confidential, as LES  has done with all of its previous deal term and royalty rate surveys.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.:
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 2,500 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 8,500 members in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org

Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) Issues Statement Commending the United States Patent and Trademark Office's Andrei Iancu for his Leadership

RESTON, VIRGINIA—Oct. 30, 2018— The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) today issued the following statement commending the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") Andrei Iancu for his leadership.

"We thank the USPTO's Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office Andrei Iancu for his leadership in adopting and publishing a Final Rule changing the claim construction standard in various proceedings before the USPTO, including inter partes review."

"Prior to the rule change, the USPTO used the broadest reasonable interpretation when construing claims in post-grant proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). However, district courts used the Phillips standard, which interprets the claims based on the view of one of skill in the art at the time the invention is made. Because two different standards were applied, consistency and predictability for patent owners were compromised. In particular, patent owners were subject to expensive and time-consuming litigation in multiple forums – the UPSTO and one or more district courts – where different results could occur because of the different standards. These inconsistent claim construction standards led to weakening our patent system. This, in turn, discourages innovation, reduces investment, and hinders the formation of new businesses and industries."

"LES is a non-partisan, non-profit, volunteer-driven professional society devoted to speeding innovation to market. For over 50 years, we have been the only society devoted exclusively to professionals representing innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds. LES’ vision is to connect and inspire the broad diversity of people involved in IP, intellectual capital management, and ICM standards development. We represent all industries, from high technology to pharma/biotech. Our members are inventors, entrepreneurs, business executives, accountants, and lawyers. And, we represent licensors as well as licensees. In short, we represent all sides in all quadrants of the innovation economy. We are devoted to the principle that intellectual property is a private property right that must be respected like any other form of private property – through predictable, reliable, and durable legal rights that are worthy of investment and command the respect of the market."

"The adoption of the Final Rule changing the claim construction standard is welcome and supported by LES. This rule will encourage innovation and investment into intellectual property because it creates more consistent outcomes."

About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of more than 2,200 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are business leaders, accountants, economists, IP valuation experts, supply chain managers, lawyers, technology transfer specialists, public policy leaders, lobbyists, mergers and acquisitions experts, tax specialists, deal-makers, strategic planners, business model innovators, consultants, engineers, licensing executives, and scientists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds— such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

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Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) Welcomes Newly-Elected 2018-19 Board Members

New 2018-19 LES Board of Directors to Begin Term at Annual Meeting in Boston and Bring Distinctive Knowledge and Subject Matter Expertise to LES' Strategic Growth Areas.

RESTON, VIRGINIA—Oct. 16, 2018— The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is pleased to announce the 2018-19 Board of Directors. The additions ensure broad leadership representation from the licensing industry, enabling LES to empower members from notable business leaders to professionals involved in LES' intellectual property (IP), intellectual capital management (ICM) and ICM standards communities.

"Our new board of directors has each made significant contributions to the IP industry and LES standards initiatives, enabling LES to move forward energetically on our leadership and educational initiatives," said LES CEO Kim Chotkowski. "I look forward to working with this new slate of dedicated volunteers whose viewpoints and contributions will help LES make significant contributions to our industry and LES."

Executive Committee Appoints 2018-19 President and Chair
As part of the Executive Committee's seamless leadership transition, Bob Held, previously LES' president-elect, moves into the role of President and Chair of LES.

"I am truly honored to continue to serve the licensing industry and represent the leaders of LES. I believe strongly in LES' vision to connect and inspire the broad diversity of people involved in IP, intellectual capital management, and ICM standards development," Held said. "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Bill Elkington for his extraordinary contributions and outstanding leadership as the LES President and Chair for the 2017-18 term. I look forward to leading the way in preparing our members for the opportunities of the future."

Congratulations to the following newly elected LES leaders. The full roster including photos and full biographies is available on the LES website.

2018-2019 Board of Directors
President and Chair of the Board - Bob Held
President-Elect and Chair-Elect of the Board - Gary Fedorochko
Immediate Past-President and Past-Chair of the Board - Bill Elkington
Secretary - Kevin Spivak
Treasurer - Mike Pellegrino
Counsel - Paul A. Roberts

2018-2019 Directors
Jim Bratton
Gillian Fenton
Annie Gauthier
Rachel Kreppel
Louise Levien
Matthew McNeill
Annemarie Meike 
Lesley Millar-Nicholson
Eric Victory
Scott Williams

About the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are business leaders, accountants, economists, IP valuation experts, supply chain managers, lawyers, technology transfer specialists, public policy leaders, lobbyists, mergers and acquisitions experts, tax specialists, deal-makers, strategic planners, business model innovators, consultants, engineers, licensing executives, and scientists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

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Kelli Baxter, Deputy Executive Director, COO

703-234-4088 | kbaxter@les.org

Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) Launches New FRAND Licensing Standard Committee

LES Invites Enterprises and Individuals to Join the FRAND Licensing Standard Committee and Help Reduce the Cost and Management Time Involved in Licensing Standard-Essential Patents.

RESTON, VIRGINIA—Oct. 12, 2018 — The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) today announced that its ANSI-accredited LES Standards program has established the LES FRAND Licensing Standard Committee. The group will focus on the creation of an industry-wide, consensus-based business process standard that ensures that all parties have a clear understanding of their responsibilities in the FRAND (Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) standard-essential patents (SEP) licensing process. The committee brings together industry experts and LES Standards program members who engage as principals or agents in the practice of licensing SEPs on FRAND terms. By collaborating on best practices to provide this clarity, the resulting standard will reduce the cost and the management time to license SEPs.

Members and non-members are invited to register for a free, introductory call with the Committee Co-Chairs on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern.

• Register for the Free, Introductory Call to Learn More About the Committee
• Read the LES FRAND Licensing Standards Committee Q&A with the Co-Chairs
• Join the LES Standards Initiative and FRAND Licensing Standards Committee

Current members of the LES FRAND Licensing Standards Committee are representatives from ACT | The App Association, Ericsson, Essential Patent, Held Intellectual Property, Hernandez IP, InterDigital, JusTech Law, Longhorn IP, Philips Intellectual Property & Standards, Sisvel Group, Rockwell Collins, Teletry, Unified Patents, and many other leaders. To learn more about the Committee and its members, visit https://www.lesusacanada.org/page/frandmembers.

“The developers and implementers of technical standards will benefit from a flexible and yet standardized framework for licensing SEPs on FRAND terms,” said Bob Held, chair-elect and president-elect of LES. “We have therefore established a committee in LES Standards to spell out and enhance efficient industry best practices for this important area of the innovation ecosystem.”

The committee’s co-chairs are LES Standards Program members Matteo Sabattini, director of IP policy at Ericsson, and Brian Scarpelli, senior global policy counsel at ACT | The App Association. Matteo is currently responsible for IP rights policy and advocacy and promotion at standard defining/setting organizations (SDOs/SSOs), industry fora, trade associations, governmental agencies, etc. He has expertise in technology and IP-related matters, and his background combines business, policy and technical skills. Brian is responsible for legal and policy advocacy on a diversity of issues impacting small business software development and high tech companies, including standards, competition, and intellectual property.

“Matteo and Brian are ideal chairs of this committee because they represent stakeholders from throughout the innovation ecosystem,” said Bill Elkington, current chair and president of LES. “As an ANSI-accredited standard developer in the field of intellectual capital management, and with Matteo’s and Brian’s leadership, LES is well-positioned to develop consensus guidance on FRAND licensing practices.”

This new standard will ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of their responsibilities in the SEP licensing process - reducing the cost and the management time to license SEPs. The FRAND licensing standard will be developed by experts in the field of SEP licensing, and LES invites the participation of all enterprises and individuals who may be affected by such a standard.

Get Involved in the LES FRAND Licensing Standard Committee

To become a member of the LES Standards program and FRAND Licensing Standard Committee, visit https://www.lesusacanada.org/page/lesstandards. LES Standards members interested in joining the FRAND Licensing Standard Committee can register on the LES website here and take advantage of participating in meetings and calls including the Face-to-Face meeting in D.C. on Oct. 29, 2018.

About the LES Standards Program

The LES Standards Program offers enterprises and individuals the best practices and standards they need to improve the way they do IP transactions, protect their innovation, use IP in their business strategies, and manage third-party IP. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), LES Standards program has eight active standards committees: IP licensing, FRAND licensing, IP brokerage, IP protection in the supply chain, IP valuation, IP management for startups, intangible assets in the boardroom, and one committee providing commenting support for the ISO/TC279 Innovation Management Standard. LES Standards members include many diverse members of the innovation economy, including operating companies, (both large and small), universities (both public and private), IP valuation companies, IP consulting companies, IP brokers, and law firms. Membership in LES and LES Standards is open to all. Visit: http://www.lesusacanada.org/?lesstandards.

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

Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are business leaders, accountants, economists, IP valuation experts, supply chain managers, lawyers, technology transfer specialists, public policy leaders, lobbyists, mergers and acquisitions experts, tax specialists, deal-makers, strategic planners, business model innovators, consultants, engineers, licensing executives, and scientists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org.

Nicholas Gaffney
Zumado Public Relations
415-377-1131 | ngaffney@zumado.com

Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) Proposes New Way For Boards To Oversee Material Intangible Assets Currently Ignored

LES' IA in the Boardroom Standard Could Impact Board Liability in Overseeing Increasingly Important IA

RESTON, VA –Oct. 11, 2018‑-— The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) (LES) Standards Development Organization (SDO) board will vote on the first draft of LES' Intangible Assets (IA, which includes among other things, intellectual property, supply chain contracts, customer relationships, assembled workforce and franchise rights) in the Boardroom standard at its upcoming annual meeting in Boston at the Marriott Copley Place, Oct. 14 -18, 2018.

The draft standard is the first of its kind to address company directors' duty to adequately oversee IA value and risk. Specifically, it provides a set of principles as well as a reliable framework and process for that IA oversight. Notably, the draft standard addresses in-depth what Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) may not address adequately or consistently, which could have a permanent effect on accounting standards and board-related IA litigation.

"We've had sound principles for valuing tangible and financial assets for the past 60 years, but there hasn't been a reliable equivalent for board-oversight of the management of intangible assets until now," said Bill Elkington, LES president and chair and senior director of IP management at Rockwell Collins. "Company directors have a duty to maximize shareholder value and manage risks. Some of them have been sued by shareholders because they didn't address intangible assets adequately, and this has negatively affected company reputations and bottom lines."

While the IA in the Boardroom standard faces a long approval process like any other industry standard, its effect on accounting and litigation could be profound. For example, current accounting standards including GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards may not address IA in a manner that is consistent with the growing importance of IA in the modern global economy. For example, traditional accounting provides for different treatment for the same assets created within a first company as compared to a second company that acquires those exact same assets from the creator.

This sort of inconsistent treatment has become increasingly concerning at a time when IA are increasingly important to company value and risk. Many of today's disruptive business models depend predominantly on intangible assets, for example, Uber doesn't own automobiles and Airbnb doesn't own hotel rooms. In fact, the World Intellectual Property Organization, a United Nations agency, reported in 2017 that intangible assets add twice as much value to products as tangible capital, across nineteen global value chains, according to their ground-breaking original research.

Similarly, IA-related litigation could be impacted permanently. Specifically, directors who comply with the standard could demonstrate they acted responsibly. Conversely, directors who fail to comply with the standard could find that fact used against them in court to show negligence or misconduct.

The IA in the Boardroom standard is comprehensive. It includes a set of core principles, a common AI language for boards, an agnostic approach to materiality and risk tolerance, and a five-step process for implementing the standard.

"Directors need a rigorous way of separating intangible asset value from tangible asset and human capital value. They also need a way of identifying material intangible assets so they can understand the respective impact of each on the value of, and risk to, the company," said Paul Roberts, in his capacity as LES board counsel and co-founding chair of the Intangible Asset in Boardroom (proposed) standard. "The IA in the Boardroom standard provides an agnostic way of doing that, which is important since every company is unique. It would be disingenuous to prescribe a single model that applies in the same way to companies of all sizes, in all industries and at all stages of development."

First Public Discussion of Draft Standard

LES will present a pre-meeting workshop on Sunday, October 14, 2018, to discuss the key aspects of the draft standard. This will be the first public discussion of its content, which will include:

• Identifying changes in the financial and legal environments that impact a board's ability to effectively discharge their IA oversight responsibilities;
• Articulating the core principles for appropriate board IA oversight;
• Creating a taxonomy for translating between business and legal terminology to lower existing communication barriers between directors and IA professionals; and
• Developing a "materiality filter" that enables the standard to be applied in a way that reflects the differences in company size, maturity, technology, culture, etc.

The workshop panel will be chaired by Roberts. Panel participants include Edgar Baum, chief executive officer and chief brand economist at brand economics firm Strata Insights; John Carney, managing director of product design and manufacturing process, asset sales and market supply consultancy China IP exchange; and Ron Laurie, chairman of breakthrough invention fund InventionShare.

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

Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

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Jim McCarthy To Receive Licensing Executives Society's (U.S.A. and Canada) Highest Honor, the President's Exemplary Service Award, at the LES Annual Meeting in Boston

For Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Organization, McCarthy to Be Honored During the LES Annual Meeting, Oct. 15, 12:00-1:30 p.m., at the Boston Marriott Copley

BOSTON – Oct. 10, 2018 – The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) today announced that Jim McCarthy, driving force and champion of the LES Life Sciences Global Royalty Rate and Deal Terms Survey since its inception, and Senior Vice-President, Corporate & Business Development, Rockwell Medical, Inc. will be presented with the first-ever 2018 LES President's Exemplary Service Award. Established in 2018, the award is the highest honor that LES can give to a member of the intellectual capital management (ICM) community and honors an LES volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the health, vibrancy, and well-being of the Society.

• Register for the LES Annual Meeting and hear McCarthy speak on the panel titled "Beyond 'Deals of Distinction:' Lessons Learned and Best Practices: What Happened After the Ink was Dry?" on Tues. Oct. 16.

LES President and Chair Bill Elkington will present the award to McCarthy at the Annual Meeting luncheon, on Oct. 15, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., at the Boston Marriott Copley.

"In my view and in the view of many in our Society, Jim is one of the truly spectacular volunteers in LES, and we are deeply grateful that he has chosen and continues to choose this community to make his own," said Elkington. "He was the motivating force in the original development and coordination of the LES Global Life Sciences Royalty Rate and Deal Terms Survey, a survey that is invaluable to licensing people and intellectual capital management people around the world. His tireless work to improve the practice of licensing and intellectual capital management by supporting our fellow members and society at large makes Jim the embodiment of the LES promise and commitment."

McCarthy was instrumental in spearheading the LES "Life Sciences Global Royalty Rate and Deal Terms Survey," a definitive reference point for establishing royalty rates in licensing transactions large and small worldwide. 

In addition to decades of contribution to LES, McCarthy has over 30 years of direct life sciences professional experience. His background includes a 25-year career with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly & Company and more than 20 years in international corporate business development and licensing roles. These efforts included projects and deals in over 30 countries with over 80 completed agreements across a range of transactions. In recent years, he has been assisting small and emerging life science companies to leverage their IP assets with strategic and commercial planning, venture financing, commercial initiatives and deal support on a global basis.

A Vietnam infantry veteran and Certified Licensing Professional (CLP), McCarthy received his Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University and his a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from SUNY Upstate Medical Center.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

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Louise Levien To Receive 2018 Frank Barnes Mentor Award from the Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) at Annual Meeting in Boston

For Outstanding Work as Mentor in The Field of Licensing, Levien Will Be Honored During the Award Celebration, Oct. 15, 7:30-10:00 p.m., at the Boston Marriott Copley

BOSTON—Oct. 3, 2018-- The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) today announced that it has selected Louise Levien, Ph.D., CLP, a member of the LES Board of Directors and the LES Director of Local Chapters West, as the recipient of the 2018 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award. Levien's substantial contributions to the field of licensing through mentorship make her deserving of one of the highest honors that LES can give to a member of the licensing community. Established in 2000 by LES to memorialize Barnes' contributions to the field of licensing, the award is presented annually to one LES member who has dedicated considerable time and energy to mentoring fellow licensing professionals.

While maintaining an active role in LES as Houston Chapter Chair, a course instructor, and on the Board of Directors, Levien has mentored many in the licensing field in addition to speaking at local, national and international events. She currently serves as a volunteer mentor for MD Anderson's Venture Mentoring Service (VMS Houston) and recently served as the mentor for an MD Anderson team at the NSF I-CorpsTM 2018 Spring Bay Area Cohort.

Levien will be honored at the Society's Monday evening LES Supper Club and Frank Barnes Award Celebration Oct. 15, from 7:30-10:00 p.m., at the Boston Marriott Copley. All are invited to register and attend.

• Register to attend the LES Annual Meeting 

"This year's award selection committee is pleased to present Louise with the 2018 LES Frank Barnes Mentor Award. Louise displays the passion and drive to inspire and encourage further innovation in the licensing sector. Additionally, I have known Louise for many years and she has always been a trusted advisor and mentor for me," said Don Drinkwater, chair of the Frank Barnes Award Committee, former LES Board of Directors member and past president of the LES Foundation. "In addition to embodying many of Mr. Barnes' honorable mentor qualities, her service to her LES chapter is truly unmatched and she is, therefore, the perfect recipient. Congratulations to Dr. Levien."

Before her retirement in 2017, Levien was a member of ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company's Commercial, Intellectual Property and Licensing group. Here, she was responsible for IP processes, negotiating agreements and ensuring IP terms were consistent with the business' needs in sponsored research and licensing agreements. Much of her efforts made her the link between the scientists and attorneys, mentoring both on the others' constraints.  Prior to this assignment, Levien worked as a scientist and supervisor as well as a planner, where she developed several research management systems, including one to manage ExxonMobil's entire upstream research program.  A Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and the inventor of two patents, she also holds an ScB in Geological Sciences from Brown University and master's and doctoral degrees in Geochemistry from Stony Brook University.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

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Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) Brings Together World-Renowned Speakers to Highlight the State of Innovation at Annual Meeting in Boston Oct. 14-17

IP professionals and business leaders will benefit from a dynamic program that includes a historical look the evolution of patents and IP in Boston to professional development, networking opportunities, and fun!

BOSTON—September 20, 2018—The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada) today announced additional speakers and topics for its 2018 Annual Meeting, held in Boston, the birthplace of innovation, from Oct. 14-17, 2018, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. The highly-anticipated, three-day event is expected to convene more than 500 executives and feature a speaker line-up of notable business leaders and members of the IP, ICM and standards communities. Registration and conference information is available at www.lesmeetings.org/am18.

• Special discounted promotions ending soon—register now!

This year's meeting will build upon the IP innovation theme, including an opening plenary and fireside chat entitled "Advancing Innovation Through A Renewal Of Trust." Featured plenary speakers will explore the state of innovation and competitiveness in America, and will include Bill Elkington, LES President and Chair, Senior Director, IP Management, Rockwell Collins; Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); and Dr. Walter G. Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

"Innovation is the principal source of differentiated and defensible advantage for operating companies," said LES President and Chair Bill Elkington. "LES' vision is to connect and inspire the broad diversity of people involved in IP, intellectual capital management and standards development by providing them with lively and engaging content, thought-provoking collegial discussions, beneficial best practices, and a comprehensive executive-quality curriculum. That is what we plan to achieve this, and every year, at our Annual Meeting."

The LES 2018 Annual Meeting sessions and educational panel topics will explore the development and protection of IP commerce, intellectual capital management and the LES Standards Initiative. Highlights of the sessions include:

• Funding Startups – The Boston Perspective
• Setting Standards for Licensing
• The Joint Chiefs' Guide to Preparing for Patent War
• Navigating Standard Essential Patents Issues Through International Waters
• Increasing ROI for Government-Funded Research
• Advanced Telecommunications Licensing, 4G, 5G and LTE for Automobiles
• 2018 Tax Consequences: Coordination of IP Monetization and Tax Planning
• Life Sciences Partnering Performance and Reputation Survey Results
• Maximizing IP Value and Minimizing Risk in M&A Transactions

LES would like to give special thanks to its 2018 Annual Meeting sponsors.  The Annual Meeting experience can be started early by downloading the Annual Meeting App. The App provides access to the schedule, speakers, options to arrange one-on-one meetings, and more. The app can be downloaded in the Apple App or Google Play Store using the passphrase LESAM18. For more information about the conference, sponsorships or registration, visit www.lesmeetings.org/am18.

About Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc.:
Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. (LES) is a professional society of 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property rights; protection and management of intellectual capital; and intellectual capital management standards development. LES members are accountants, business leaders, business model innovators, consultants, deal-makers, economists, engineers, IP valuation experts, lawyers, licensing executives, lobbyists, merger and acquisition experts, public policy leaders, scientists, strategic planners, supply chain managers, tax specialists, and technology transfer specialists. These members represent innovation-centered enterprises of all sizes and kinds—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, universities, operating companies, regulatory authorities, licensing specialty firms, and trade associations. LES is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

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RESTON, VA—August 27, 2018—The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A and Canada), Inc. (LES) today announced it will honor LES member companies in five industry sectors with its Deals of Distinction™ Award. The annual program is exclusively for outstanding IP-based business deals by LES members undertaken in the past year. Now in its fourteenth year, the Deals of Distinction Awards™ are presented to the best deals in the Chemicals, Energy, Environment & Materials (CEEM); High Technology (HTS); Industry University-Government Interface (IUGI); Life Sciences; and Consumer Products Sectors.

Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony during LES’ Annual Meeting Award Luncheon on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

“In today’s global economy, commercialization of intellectual property has the opportunity to drive growth across all business sectors, from traditional business products to non-core product technologies. This year’s award winners highlight LES member achievements across our current five sectors. Each recipient has made tremendous innovations within the licensing industry and we are proud to honor their success,” said LES CEO Kimberly S. Chotkowski. “From October 14-17, at our Annual Meeting in Boston, we look forward to a variety of ways to celebrate these deals and to hear from our members and speakers about the variety of topics impacting the Intellectual Capital Community. I offer a special thank you to the Deals of Distinction™ Award committee for highlighting the continued achievements of our LES members.”

This year’s award recipients from the following sectors will honored and will share details about their winning deals at the Award Luncheon:

• Chemicals, Energy, Environment & Materials (CEEM) Sector: Lightbridge Corp. (U.S.), Framatome, S.A. (France), and Framatome, Inc. (U.S.)— Enfission Joint Venture between Lightbridge and Framatome Formed to Commercialize a Game-Changing Nuclear Fuel Technology
• High Technology Sector (HTS): Blockstack—Blockstack’s $50 Million Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
• Industry-University-Government Interface (IUGI) Sector: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health and Serum Institute of India, Pvt. Ltd.— ROTASIIL®, a low-cost, temperature tolerant rotavirus vaccine for developing countries
• Life Sciences Sector: Pieris Pharmaceuticals and Astra Zeneca—Worldwide Preclinical Alliance for Antibody Mimics to Treat Respiratory Diseases
•  Consumer Products Sector: Ericsson and Micromax—Ericsson-Micromax Global Standards Essential Patent License Agreement

All LES members attending the Annual Meeting are invited to attend the Award Luncheon. Additional information about the LES 2018 Annual Meeting and registration instructions can be found at www.lesmeetings.org/am18/. Previous honorees and award-winning deals can be found at www.lesusacanada.org/?dda.

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

Established in 1965, Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. [LES (U.S.A. and Canada)] is the industry leader for a professional society of over 3,000 members engaged in the creation, commercial development, and orderly transfer of intellectual property. LES (U.S.A. and Canada) members are comprised of accountants, consultants, lawyers, engineers, executives, and scientists. These members represent innovation-oriented enterprises of all sizes—such as government laboratories, professional services firms, global corporations and universities. LES (U.S.A. and Canada) is a member society of the Licensing Executives Society International, Inc. (LESI), which has 32 sister societies representing over 10,000 members in 90 countries. www.lesusacanada.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Kelli Baxter
Deputy Executive Director, COO
kbaxter@les.org
703-234-4088

The U.S. Chamber attributes the decline to a "growing level of uncertainty for innovators, particularly in relation to patent protection and technology licensing." The Index specifically cites uncertainties resulting from inconsistent interpretation of Supreme Court attempts to define patent-eligible subject matter by lower courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Index further cites challenges innovators face in post-grant opposition proceedings, which "involve a great deal of cost and lack of predictability for patent owners compared with other post-grant opposition systems."

According to LES Past President Brian O'Shaughnessy, "This is all the more disconcerting as LES and its innovation-oriented members have long since pointed to these challenges as compromising our patent system, devaluing innovation, and suppressing new business formation. As goes our patent system, so goes our economy."

LES CEO, Kim Chotkowski adds "The cause for concern is still greater in view of Bloomberg's recent report finding that the U.S. has fallen out of the world's top ten innovation-oriented economies, citing similar challenges. Clearly, corrective measures are needed."

LES supports legislative and industry efforts to restore the U.S. patent system to its former preeminence. Among these are bills that would remedy the very challenges cited by the Index, including the STRONGER Patents Act (S. 1390). Industry self-regulation will also restore the vitality of our patent and licensing system. Through its Standards Initiative, LES has created a forum, open to all innovation-oriented enterprises, for developing consensus standards in IP-oriented business processes and behavior. These standards will streamline licensing and IP commercialization, and reduce the costs and uncertainties that have contributed to the decline of our patent system.

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

Established in 1965, the Licensing Executives Society, LES, has been a leading association for professionals in the business of intellectual property. Our members evaluate, protect, acquire, sell, license, and enforce IP rights. Our business executives, lawyers, accountants, engineers, scientists, and other experts come from a wide array of startups, multinational corporations, universities, government laboratories, law firms, valuation firms, and other consultancies. Nearly 3000 IP transaction professionals belong to LES (U.S.A. and Canada), and together with 32 other national and regional societies form the membership of the Licensing Executives Society International, totaling nearly 10,000 IP transaction professionals in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Kim Chotkowski
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (484) 459-1454
Email address: kchotkowski@les.org

Chicago, IL. (October 24, 2017) The Licensing Executives Society (U.S.A. and Canada), Inc. is pleased to announce the 2017-2018 Board of Directors. They will begin their leadership roles during the LES 2017 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.  See photos and full biographies here and learn more about the Annual Meeting at http://www.lesmeetings.org/am17.  Congratulations to the following newly elected leaders:

• President and Chair of the Board William Elkington
• President-Elect and Chair-Elect of the Board - Robert Held
• Immediate Past-President and Past-Chair of the Board - Brian O’Shaughnessy
• Secretary - Kevin Spivak
• Treasurer - Mike Pellegrino
• Counsel - Paul A. Roberts
• Vice President of Membership, Communications, and Technology - Ida Shum
• Senior Vice President of Meeting, Education, and Strategic Alliances - Gary Fedorochko
• Vice President International - Jim Bratton
• Vice President of Public Policy and Standards - Rachel Kreppel
• Local Chapters East Director - Annie Gauthier
• Local Chapters West Director - Louise Levien
• Director of Membership & Member Engagement - Annmarie Meike
• Director of Communications & Publications - Gillian Fenton
• Director Meetings – Scott Williams
• Director of Education - Matthew McNeill

LES Chief Executive Officer Kim Chotkowski noted, “I look forward to working with this new slate of dedicated volunteers who have made significant contributions to the IP industry and our U.S.A. and Canada Society.”

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

Established in 1965, the Licensing Executives Society, LES, has been a leading association for professionals in the business of intellectual property. Our members evaluate, protect, acquire, sell, license, and enforce IP rights. Our business executives, lawyers, accountants, engineers, scientists, and other experts come from a wide array of startups, multinational corporations, universities, government laboratories, law firms, valuation firms, and other consultancies. Nearly 3000 IP transaction professionals belong to LES (U.S.A. and Canada), and together with 32 other national and regional societies form the membership of the Licensing Executives Society International, totaling nearly 10,000 IP transaction professionals in 90 countries.www.lesusacanada.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Kelli Baxter
Deputy Executive Director, COO
kbaxter@les.org
(703) 234-4088