The Conference Programme has been made available for download and printing.

WELCOME TO LES INTERNATIONAL´S WORLD CONFERENCE
 

The LESI Oslo 2003 World Conference will mark another important step into new dimensions for the international family of licensing executives. Licensing Executives Society (LES) is a healthy and growing educational society of company executives, lawyers, scientists, engineers and academics who have an interest in the transfer of technology or licensing of intellectual property - from technical know-how and patent inventions to software, copyright and trade marks. LES International has around 11.000 members and is today one of the largest and most important intellectual property related organization worldwide.

The host of the LESI Oslo 2003 World Conference is LES Scandinavia, representing the five Nordic countries. Scandinavia is a well developed corner of the world, with long industrial and commercial traditions. The conference is an excellent opportunity to meet executives and professionals in one of the fastest growing economies in the world today.

This LESI Oslo 2003 World Conference shows that we are truly an international society. A few generations ago my family emigrated from Oslo to America. The Oslo venue allows me to return to my roots.

I am proud that as President of LES International I shall have the pleasure to welcome you to the wonderful country of Norway and its capital Oslo. I am sure that we all shall have marvelous days in Oslo.

MEL JAGER
President LES International

MEET THE WORLD IN OSLO

LES Scandinavia is honored to invite you to the LESI Oslo 2003 World Conference. The conference is an excellent opportunity to meet representatives from Scandinavian industry and trade, and to network with colleagues and business contacts from all over the world.

"Licensing in a Changing World" will set the frame for keynote talks and workshops. It is our ambition that the LESI Oslo 2003 World Conference shall make a contribution to our understanding of the new global reality. We will focus on geopolitical and ethical issues as well as discuss practical matters regarding IPR and licensing, which are of current and urgent interest.

Our profession of licensing is in the midst of the globalization process. We help to bring technologies of progress to those who have needs. The lives and health of millions are in the hands of licensed medicines. How can licensing of IPR encourage creativity and prosperity and add value to communities in the developing countries? We will rise issues such as "Bio piracy - or the genetic dilemma", "Ethics in licensing" and "Combating cyber crime".

We will also discuss questions regarding the global proliferation of lifestyle brands, which are more than anything, the bearers of a particular set of cultural values. Is it possible to build a global "trust mark" across cultures and religions?

Next year the European Community Design will probably have been in force for some months, and we will look into the new opportunities and possible problems for IPR owners.

We warmly welcome you to Oslo in June 2003.