Over the past ten years or so the motor car of the 20th century has been transformed from a mechanical conveyance to a high-speed information technology platform.
Cars today draw upon networks of complex inventions and intellectual property rights that are destined for licensing and disputes.
IP in the Auto Industry: Challenges and Opportunities in a Converging World will address these and other issues at an event that will take place at the Ford Motor Company Conference Center in Dearborn on May 3.
Speakers include Nick Psyhogeos, President of Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC, Kevin Rivette, co-author of Rembrandts in the Attic, and a former Apple, IBM and Nissan advisor, and William Coughlin, President of Ford Global Technologies.
IP CloseUp readers are being offered an exclusive discount of $150 off the full delegate rate. Register here by April 29 for an opportunity to network with over 100 thought and market-leaders. Use code IPCLOSEUP3 to receive the discounted rate of $745.
On April 12, Ford made public plans to build a state-of-the-art world headquarters campus designed by SmithGroupJJR, the same architecture and engineering firm that designed offices for Google, Microsoft and Tesla.
The redesign comes as automakers compete with Silicon Valley and Seattle to hire engineers, designers and other tech-savvy workers who will design the autonomous and electric cars of tomorrow.
Ford’s corporate-campus overhaul comes as Toyota is preparing a new North American headquarters in Plano, Texas, and as General Motors continues a $1 billion renovation of its Tech Center operation.
“The focus on IP in the auto industry has intensified at all levels,” said Richard Lloyd, conference producer and North American Editor of IAM Magazine. “Issues such as branding, reputation management and counterfeiting are moving up the corporate agenda, while technological convergence means that patent protection and enforcement, licensing and collaboration have become more important than ever.”
IP in the Auto Industry will feature contributions from over 25 industry-leading companies, addressing the following issues:
- Securing 360-degree protection – featuring representatives from Cooper-Standard Automotive, Harman International and Tenneco
- The implications of convergence – Ford, Microsoft, Panasonic, United Technologies
- The impact of new market players – 3LP Advisors, Unified Patents
- The development of robust policing programs – Cellport Systems, Harley-Davidson, Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
- Spare parts and the after-market – Ford, General Motors
- Managing brand reputation – Dezenhall Resources, Marx Layne
For the final conference program and the full speakers’ list go here. To register go here.
IP in the Auto Industry is produced by IAM in conjunction with World Trademark Review.
Image source: autoalliance.org; globebcg.com
ipcloseup.com 