The conference, which is being held outside the US for the first time, takes place in Cambridge, UK on April 15 and 16.
Speakers include WIPO director general Francis Gurry, EPO president Alison Brimelow, House of Lords judge Lord Hoffmann and Margot Fröhlinger, director of the EU’s internal market directorate, which covers IP policy.
The other speakers include 14 judges, more than 20 governmental officials and more than 30 academics as well as IP practitioners and senior in-house counsel.
“One unique aspect of the conference is our Roundtable session where general counsel from major multinational companies discuss their perspectives and approaches to a variety of practical and policy IP issues – perspectives that are often different from IP experts and even from the in-house counsel who work for them,” said Professor Hugh Hansen, director of the conference.
He added that, though the conference is being held outside the US for the first time since it was launched in 1993, the demographics and content will be similar to the 16 previous events.
“I know many of our speakers enjoy taking part in the Fordham IP Conference because they know they will get challenged. They have to get up and defend themselves.”
The Fordham IP Conference is known for the high level of its participants, and the frank exchanges that take place. Even the most senior figures speak for only 10 to 12 minutes to allow time for questions and discussion.
Hansen said that recent political and economic developments worldwide make IP assets more important for businesses, and he expected that speakers will address these issues during the meeting.
“I think the downturn will put more focus on IP. Many industries have to use IP or see it as an asset that can still produce in a recession. Companies may pick their fights more carefully but they will still fight. Even for those who go under, there can be great concern over who gets the IP rights,” he told Managing IP.
The conference is expected to attract some 400 attendees. Full details are available on its website.
