Former U.S. Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to Speak At Intellectual Property Rights Workshop in Shanghai

Shanghai, Oct. 11  -- Honorable Bruce Lehman, Chairman of International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI), will deliver the keynote address at the Shanghai Intellectual Property Rights Workshop, Oct. 28-30, announced American International Education Foundation (AIEF). The foundation is co-organizing the event with the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration.

“Over the years, Bruce Lehman has been an important visionary in intellectual property rights (IPR) protection,” said Stephen Smith, AIEF Workshop Coordination Chairperson. “We are honored to have him contribute to this workshop’s goal of fighting counterfeiting and piracy in China’s largest city and industrial center.”

Among his many achievements, Lehman is a member of the Policy Advisory Commission to the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the specialized United Nations agency headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. He is President of the U.S. Committee for WIPO and a member of several corporate boards, including PLX Systems, Inc. Under the Clinton administration, Lehman served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, and was primary representative for IPR protection issues. 

“A number of distinguished government officials, industry groups, educators and legal experts from the United States and China will participate in the Shanghai workshop,” added Smith. “This collaborative group is committed to helping elevate Shanghai’s IPR standards to an international level, because they understand it is one of the most important business priorities in today’s economy.”

Panel discussions on IPR issues affecting entertainment, information technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors will be chaired by representatives of the Motion Picture Association of America, Entertainment Software Association, U.S. Information Technology Office, Quality Brands Protection Committee, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturing Association, and R&D-based Pharmaceutical Association.

Legal experts, government representatives and law professors from U.S. universities will conduct classes on a number of IPR-related issues for Chinese audiences and overseas companies. Classes will address topics ranging from “protecting your company’s IPR assets in China” to “effective enforcement of WTO requirements.”

Individuals may participate as patrons, and various sponsorship opportunities are available for companies. A detailed agenda and registration information is at www.aief-usa.org/ipr. 

Contact:
Teresa O’Connor
805-644-6204, teresaToconnor@aol.com