Businesses to Profit from International Symposium

Asia-Pacific Businesses to Profit from International IP Symposium

Media Release - 11 October 2006

Businesses expanding into overseas markets in the APEC region will benefit from Australia's most significant intellectual property convention.

Taking place in Sydney on January 28-30, the Trading Ideas Symposium, which was launched in Melbourne today, will bring around 700 business delegates together with leading government IP policy makers from Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.

The Trading Ideas Symposium, which is an initiative of the Australian Government and APEC, will also be the first public-private sector event of APEC Australia 2007.

The keynote speaker at the launch, Intellectual Property Director of the Fosters Group Limited, Owen Malone, said the evolving global IP environment provides great opportunities for business growth.

"International expansion carries risks for both large and small businesses, particularly when it comes to protecting, commercializing and enforcing intellectual property rights," Mr. Malone said.

"The Trading Ideas Symposium is a key Asia-Pacific forum, which will provide business with insight for developing intellectual property strategies for international growth.

"Business people can learn from those who have gone before and speak to the people who will be setting IP laws for the years to come.

"The Trading Ideas Symposium will be of enormous business benefit in ensuring that the latest in IP policy direction, from both established and emerging markets of the global economy, is shared with delegates."

The Director General of IP Australia, Dr. Ian Heath, said Australia is the ideal host for such an important symposium on an issue that is at the heart of modern economic development.

"Australia has a proud history of invention and innovation and we are at the forefront of ensuring that the intellectual property rights system works effectively for business trading in the region." Dr Heath said at the launch.

"The nature of trade has changed and now economic strength is increasingly related to the intellectual property that an economy develops.

"Australia has been working with other governments for many years, particularly in the APEC region, to create an environment where their intellectual property is marketable and secure.

"This environment is still complex, but through high level interaction at events such as the Trading Ideas Symposium, businesses have increased opportunities to expand their operations particularly in the APEC Region."

The three day event will include speakers from governments and companies with success in implementing strong IP programs around the region. These include the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Jon W. Dudas, the President-Elect of the European Patent Office, Alison Brimelow, and executives from companies including Nokia, Mars Inc, the Motion Picture Association and BlueScope Steel.

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