LES BENELUX
NEWSLETTER
THIRTIETH ISSUE - JUNE 2000
This quarterly newsletter is written specifically for LES Benelux members and others with a professional or business interest in all aspects of technology transfer and the licen-sing of intellectual property. Further copies are available on request. Unless indicated as author's copyright and subject to acknowledgement of the Society, all material may be used freely in other publications. Unless otherwise agreed, acceptance of any submission for publication in this Newsletter is on the understanding that the author also consents to publication in the same or edited form on the LES Europe site at http://www.les-europe.org/. Editorial insert, advertising enquiries and contributions should be addressed to Saskia van Dijk-Struyk, LES Benelux, P.O. Box 6050, NL-2600 JA DELFT; phone +31 15 269 49 23; fax +31 15 261 24 03; e-mail saskia.dijk@wxs.nl
Dear Members,
It is a pleasure to report, that we can all look back on a very successful LES International Conference. Around 560 participants from 48 different countries were our guests from 21-24 May in Amsterdam ! A unique opportunity to meet colleagues and friends from all over the world. The reactions received so far regarding the organization and the level of the workshops and plenary sessions were very positive. The organizing committee (Saskia van Dijk-Struyk, Ruprecht Hermans, Han Flamman and the undersigned as chair) started the preparations of the conference already five years ago, and we were happy to see so many people interested in licensing and IP issues in Amsterdam. A wide range of topics was addressed and it was very difficult to make a choice of the parallel workshops on Monday and Wednesday afternoon.
The plenary speakers on Monday: Patrick Morley (KPN), Jan Dekker (TNO), Ruud J. Peters (Philips) and Jo Lernhout (Lernout & Hauspie) addressed modern techniques and aspects of technology transfer. A true start of the new millennium. The plenary session of Tuesday consisted of a lively debate between Charles Gielen and Justice Laddy (Royal Courts of Justice UK) regarding the different views on the scope of protection of trademarks in the Benelux and the UK; this was followed by interesting speeches on different licensing strategies. The next day started with the question "Industrial Espionage and IPR - a serious threat or just an 007-game?" addressed by Peter Frisch of the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and John Nolan of Phoenix Consultants. Followed by spectacular speeches regarding licensing and merchandising in the field of sport. In this Newsletter you will find already a few short reports about some workshops in Amsterdam. More will follow in upcoming Newsletters.
Information regarding the content of the speeches, which were delivered in Amsterdam, will be published, in a few weeks, at level 3 of the LESI web site. I would like to advise all members to take this opportunity and request for password for entry of Level 3 of the LES web site - as far as you have not done so already. All kinds of useful information regarding our society, its meetings and publications is available on the web site (for LES members only). The fact that the Japanese Emperor and Empress stayed in the Royal Palace opposite Hotel Krasnapolsky, was a rare opportunity especially for the Japanese delegates, which were able to see the Imperial Couple and the Dutch Queen on Tuesday afternoon on the Dam Square.
Now back to the normal life within our society. Our next meetings will be held on 27 September in Brussels with topic and on 15 November 2000 with topic ''Licensing results of university research in the Benelux'' in Rotterdam. The latest will also include our AGM. Full programs will be sent to you before July and I am looking forward to seeing you at both meetings!
Emma van Oosterom
President LES Benelux
e-mail: Vanoosterom@oos.eur.nl
Henri Claringbould
On 6 May, fully unexpected and already registered for the LES International Conference in Amsterdam, Henri Etienne Claringbould died after a short illness in the age of 82 years. Henri was one of the founding members of LES Benelux and since 1994 Honorary member. He was an advisor to the board from 1992 until 1994, was always interested in what was going on and was looking forward to join us in Amsterdam. We all will miss him.A contribution from Dick van der Meer about Henri: Thinking of Henri you will remember his enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge and know-how in licensing. He was the author of ''Licenties'', a very well-known booklet, and everyone with a question about it got an extensive answer and he stayed in contact, more as friend than as ''a business partner''. He has done his work in his own exclusive way. His expertise showed many sides. Not only with legal, technical, economical or social knowledge or insight in human character, but with human interest and simple - at first sight. He will stay for many of us a special - read an exclusive - memory. We sympathize with his family and friends and thank him for everything he has done for us.
Maria Cinquegrani
On 23 May we heard the terrible news that Maria S. Cinquegrani, President of LES Italy, had died on 22 May in the age of 60. Although we knew that Maria had been seriously ill for almost three years, her death still came very unexpectedly and was a great shock to many of us within LES. Maria was a member of LES since 1985, a member of LES Italy's executive committee since 1989 and President of LES Italy since 1995. Because of her activities LES Italy is at present very lively and doubled its membership the last five years. She was the driving force behind the extremely successful LES European Conference held in September 1999 in Venice. We would like to express our sympathy to her husband, her two daughters, her friends and colleagues at CNR in Rome and the members of LES Italy for whom it will be difficult to go on without Maria.Amsterdam Reports
Communication skills and strategies by Wil van der VoordeBefore the start of the conference I attended Add-on II on Communication skills and strategies, chaired by Ruud Oderkerk, Communication Consult. This workshop focussed on the basic principles of spoken communication in professional situations, but, at the request of the participants, attention was also given to the peculiarities related to communication by e-mail. It was a valuable experience, if only because of the different nationalities of the participants (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, Switzerland and Germany/Belgium).
What would be the best strategy for your company by Dennys Watson
I had the honor of chairing the second plenary session on Tuesday morning, with the theme of 'What would be the best strategy for your company?'. We were lucky to have three excellent LES speakers with a wealth of experience: Paul Appermont, Willy Manfroy and James Malackowski, who between them covered a great deal of ground. Whilst individuals in the large audience were obviously not going to find in ninety minutes all the answers to their specific strategy problems, the thoughtful analyses, together with useful pointers and examples presented, were well received; later feedback was very positive.
European IP and licensing by Thomas Vinje
The Workshop on European IP and licensing developments sponsored by the LESI European Committee was a great success. About 100 people from around the world attended it, and the discussion was lively. Four speakers led the workshop: Nigel Jones addressed the initiative to establish a Community Patent, Arne Ringnes addressed exhaustion issues, Luigi Saglietti discussed design rights, and Thomas Vinje addressed European legal developments regarding electronic commerce.
Valuation of long-term projects in biotechnology by Dennys Watson
One of the workshop sessions I attended, covering 'Valuation of long-term projects in biotechnology' on the Monday afternoon, featured good presentations which resulted in a lively debate. Participants particularly appreciated the short but fascinating story of Hans van der Saag's company CropDesign, an update on the popular presentation he made last June at our Benelux meeting in Rotterdam. We were very fortunate that same evening to have excellent weather for the canal tour, when the delightful views of Amsterdam from water-level were complemented by good company, wine, and tasty dishes from the rijsttafel buffet.
Novel exploitation provisions in academic/industry deals by Saskia van Dijk-Struyk
The meeting room for Workshop N on Academic / Industry deals, chaired by Bob Smailes from Edinburgh University, was too small. A greater attendance than expected made it necessary to add many chairs. But it was worthwhile: six very well experienced speakers from the USA, United Kingdom and Japan entertained the participants with valuable information. The success of this workshop will probably result in the establishment of an LES International Committee, which will among other activities, organise workshops and add-ons on this subject at the LESI conferences in future. Those interested in becoming an active member of such committee, are requested to contact Emma van Oosterom at e-mail vanOosterom@oos.eur.nl before 1 August 2000.
Interactive Voting System
In Amsterdam, at the end of the first Plenary Session, for the first time in LES history an interactive voting system was used to get some information about the participants present: who are they, what are their wishes, what are their interests. The participants got a little voting box and answered by choosing a number, the 16 multiple choice questions, which were projected on the screen. The first question was to get the audience acquainted with the system and it appeared that only 23 % of the audience knew that there are 7000 protected monuments in Amsterdam. However, on the second question 82% answered correctly that LES stands for Licensing Executives Society; only 4 % answered ''Lets Enjoy Shopping''. The more serious questions, however, were very valuable for planning future meetings and programs, but also displayed information about the audience (interests, job, company, age) and the way how LES Conferences should be marketed. The results are reported on page 5 of this Newsletter.LES International Delegates Meeting
At the International Delegates meeting in Amsterdam the 13th Golden Award was presented to Larry Evans. Larry, past-president of LES USA and Canada and LES International, was of great help to LES Benelux in the early nineties when it was reviving.There was also a warm welcome for the 28th Society within LES: LES Singapore. LES Singapore was under the name of Licensing Society Singapore already very active and has at present 40 members. The official celebrations for the admittance of this new Society will take place at the Toronto Delegates meeting in September.
At the same Delegates meeting it was announced that Thierry Sueur (France), Yoon Bae Kim, (Korea) and Peter Chrocziel (Germany) will join the Executive Committee in Toronto, respectively as president-elect and vice-presidents. At the same event Platon Mandros, Valery Medvedev and Saskia van Dijk-Struyk will leave the Executive Committee.
At the meeting also a decision was taken on the locations for future LESI Conferences:
- 29 April - 2 May 2001 : Cape Town, South Africa
- 7 - 10 April 2002 : Osaka, Japan,
- 16 - 23 June 2003 : Oslo, Norway,
- 2004 : Cairo, Egypt,
- 2005 : Munich, Germany
LESI Transportation Committee
LES International is considering establishing a LESI Transportation Committee within the next few months. This Committee would focus on the interests not only of the automotive industry, including suppliers, but also include other means of transportation, like aircrafts, railroad systems, cargo-lifters, fork-lifters, etc. Members of such committee should advise LES on actuality and developments in relation to transportation and licensing, organising workshops for LES meetings and, if necessary, executing surveys. Requirements for members of this committee are member or willing to become a member of LES, working in or with the transportation industry and willing to spend some time on this committee. Those interested are requested to contact Emma van Oosterom at e-mail vanOosterom@ oos.eur.nl before 1 August 2000.LES Japan
To illustrate the 400th Anniversary of the Holland/ Japan friendship, LES Japan has published a Special Issue of their Newsletter ''Winds from Japan''. Those members interested in a copy of this Special Issue and/or a copy of the regular Newsletter May 2000, are requested to contact Saskia van Dijk-Struyk at e-mail saskia.dijk@wxs.nlLESI Annual Report
At the Conference in Amsterdam also the 4th edition of the LESI Annual Report was presented. LES Benelux members will receive their copy together with the June issue of les Nouvelles. Heinz Goddar asked all members to read this issue carefully and not to store it in your archives, but to use it for recruiting a new member.Cloning around at the EPO?
by Dr. Michael Douglas, Wilson Gunn M'Caw, Manchester with thanks to LES Britain and Ireland's News Exchange.
The European Patent Office was forced to admit recently that a patent on cloning technology that could be used for human genetic manipulation had been granted ''by mistake''. The controversial patent (European Patent No 695 351), which was granted to Edinburgh University last December, discloses a method of isolating and genetically modifying animal stem cells. These relatively immature cells have the capacity for self-renewal and can develop into mature cell types with diverse specialized functions - embryonic stem cells are effectively the ''parent'' cells for all tissues in an animal's body. Changes made to the genetic instructions within embryonic stem cells can profoundly influence the subsequent development of the animal.
It was revealed - apparently following research by the environmental group Greenpeace - that Edinburgh University patent reads: 'in the context of this invention, the term ''animal cell'' is intended to embrace all animal cells, especially of mammalian species, including human cells.' However, processes for human cloning, or for making genetic changes in humans than can be passed on from one generation to the next, cannot be patented under European Law. The EPO was therefore left to acknowledge its mistake, and released a statement to the press expressing its 'regrets' over the incident. In fact, the patent is expected to be amended following the nine-month opposition period - Greenpeace has already filed an objection and, via its website, is urging individuals to file further objections to the EPO.
Meetings LES Benelux in 2000
- 27 September - Antwerp/Brussels; half-day topic meeting (start 2 pm) ''Licensing via the Internet is now reality'' presenting two key players in the online licensing market. How can the Web contribute to disseminate technology and content? What is the business model for bringing technology and content providers together with licensees? How does it really work and what can I learn from it?
Speakers: Michael Edelman, Yet2Com (United Kingdom) on ''Matching technology with business joined via the Internet'' and Anthony Belpaire, Info2Clear (Belgium) on ''The future of copyright licensing in a virtual world''. - 15 November - Rotterdam, The Netherlands: full-day topic meeting on ''Licensing results of university research in the Benelux''. This meeting also includes the Annual General Meeting.
Details of program, venue and registration will be sent to all members in due time. For more information on meetings, please contact Bruno Vandermeulen, chair Program Committee, e-mail Bruno.Vandermeulen@ twobirds.com
Other events in 2000
- 6 - 7 July : LES Britain and Ireland Annual Conference at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate (England): ''the Value of Licensing in the New Millennium''.
For more information and registration, please contact Renate Siebrasse at e-mail siebrasse@medtap.co.uk - 3-12 July : Training Course: obtaining, enforcing and evaluating IPR in Europe, Munich - Germany. For more information: phone + 49 89 384 07 20;
e-mail Goddar@boehmert.de - 4 - 6 September : LES Scandinavia Annual Meeting in Oulo, Finland: ''Challenges to Licensing in the New Millennium''.
For information and registration, please visit http://www.les.oulo.fi - 9-16 September : LES USA and Canada Annual Meeting, Toronto - Ontario.
For information and registration, please contact StevensM@les.org - 18 - 19 September : 2nd Licensing Asia 2000 conference organised by a.o. LES Singapore in Singapore.
For more information and registration, please contact the organizers at e-mail cn@sesmontnet.com - 5 - 7 November : LES Korea International 2000 Conference in Seoul: ''Effective Management of Intellectual Assets in the New Millennium''.
For information and registration please contact Yoon Bae Kim at e-mail eybkim@chollian.net
Click here to view the Results of the Interactive Voting System - Participants Amsterdam LES 2000 Conference
News
The European Patent Office has published its one millionth European patent application: EP 1 000 000 A1 which was filed on 8 November 1999 by a Dutch company, De Boer Nijmegen BV from Nijmegen.Next Newsletter
Deadline for delivering a contribution to the next newsletter is 31 August 2000.