Under the patronage of
H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan
"Intellectual Property Role in Economic Development" Seminar
Abu Dhabi – October 12, 2011
A Speech by
Talal Abu-Ghazaleh
Your Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Distinguished guests
Twenty six years ago you honoured me, as Chairman of the Arab Society of Certified Accountants, by patronizing our meeting here in Abu Dhabi.
Today you honoured me again by your acceptance to hold this Seminar under your patronage.
Compared to your picture in 1986, you are today as vigorous, alert, vivid and brilliant, yet withan outstanding record of accomplishments and achievements.
This seminar will highlight the value created by Intellectual Property (IP) in both private and public companies, and will address what is required to further develop the IP economy, opportunities, threats, risks, key players and a prediction of the future prospects for IP assets.
It is my pleasure to welcome our special guest speakers :
Mr. James Malackowski: Chairman and CEO of Ocean Tomo, He is President Elect for the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) and formerpresident of LES USA & Canada.
Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar: President, Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF).
Ms. Kristi Santhis: Marketing Consultant at Ocean Tomo.
Dr. Fouad Mrad, Executive Director, ESCWA Technology Centre.
Speakers will showcase how lessons from commercial markets are now being applied to humanitarian technology transfer, and how research and development (R&D) activities at universities, research centers, companies and other innovation facilities contribute to knowledge-basedeconomy.
Mr. Malackowski will describe thought provoking ideas on how the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) can play a key role in IP market development.
Distinguished audience,
Intellectual Property is a power tool for economic growth and economic development.
IP assets in business transactions are the most valuable assets.
Development of licensing laws and policies will encourage licensing and technology transfer.
Capacity building programs and training on licensing are essential in order for us to match the licensor capacity.
The "Arab Certified IP Licensing Practitioner" program was developed by us for the purposes of capacity building.
Commercialization of inventions is a priority for us.
I call on IP licensing and technology transfer professionals from universities, governmental institutions, law firms, and industrial companies from different Arab countries to join LES-AC network; in order to contribute and interact for our joint benefits.
LES Arab Countries published the following publications :
- "LES Guide to Licensing Best Practices" book
- "Guidelines to Licensing and Technology Transfer Agreement" booklet
- "Introduction to Franchising" booklet
- "How to Become an Arab Certified Licensing Practitioner" guide
- LES – AC Newsletter
- LOF annual booklet
- Protection of Arab Forum Brand is another priority and is in the process of developing programs for that.
Please accept as a gift a copy of my IP Dictionary and collect it before you leave.
It also gives me pleasure to announce that we shall hold under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, our second annual conference, "The Licensing Opportunities Forum 2011", in Sharjah on November 28 – 29, 2011.
In closing, I wish to express my deep gratitude to our partners in this event "The Higher College of Technology", this institution of education excellence, for their generous hosting and support under the able management of my good friend Dr. Tayyeb Kamali under the gifted leadership of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mabarak Al Nahyan.