Brussels IP Week: Key Debates, Opportunities In Global IP, Innovation

A four-day conference in Brussels next week involving numerous high-level decision-makers in intellectual property policy and practice will bring out the latest thinking on IP rights as a boost to innovation in Europe and around the world. There will be a special focus on open innovation, IP in industry, IP strategies, and IP in the largest emerging economies.

The 6-9 December “IP Week” event will include speakers such as Francis Gurry, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, and top IP counsel from companies such as IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Pfizer, Tata, Philips and Audi, as well as alternative energy companies and numerous top law firms and institutions such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission.

A key panel is scheduled to put together the heads of the patent offices of the United States, China, Europe, and Brazil to discuss “harmonising patent systems”. Other topics include the Baroness Wilcox of the UK speaking on “getting rid of IP barriers in Europe”, and panels on how to finish the EU unitary patent, innovation in green technologies, IP protection, and a range of legal and investment strategies and issues.

On the last day, William New of Intellectual Property Watch will moderate a small panel entitled, “Medicines, Green Tech: Should Certain IP Be ‘Free'”?

IP Week event details are here.