Day 1 (Jan 26th 2026)

With clearer authorship guidelines in the EU, the US faces questions about who can be defined as an author and what counts as a truly creative work. Get up to speed with the latest global and US regulatory landscape on protecting originality in the era of AI-assisted creation of code, content and other creative works.

As AI transforms the entire innovation process, it’s no longer enough to talk about AI as a future possibility. This cross-industry, cross-functional panel moves past the theory and hype, highlighting actionable, real-world applications of AI in daily patent operations to elevate your patent function from a support role to a proactive, data-driven engine for business innovation, all while staying ahead of regulatory change.

• Learn how leading patent professionals are using AI tools for streamlined processes and cost-savings, from identifying inventions and drafting smarter applications to managing prosecution and powering efficient, high-impact enforcement.
• Gain fresh insight into how evolving legal, technical, and ethical frameworks support responsible AI integration, turning the patent department into a true driver of business innovation, all while staying ahead of regulatory shifts.
• Explore past, present and potential future cases of IP vs AI and where AI is named as an inventor or contributor to inventions and patentable research.

The global ‘ping pong’ of anti-suit and anti-anti-suit injunctions are reshaping cross-border licensing. As courts in the US, Europe & China battle for jurisdiction over SEP disputes, multinational IP leaders must navigate unprecedented legal complexity and higher costs.

• Understand the emerging court trends and tactics to prepare for the next phase of SEP-licensing conflicts.
• Hear how anti-anti-suit injunctions have become a challenge for IP leaders and how to effectively navigate for greatest effect and to keep costs at a minimum.
• Recognise the opportunities that are presented from forum shopping, leading to faster proceedings and more favourable outcomes for your licensing conflicts.

(Your chance to speak directly to marketplace representatives)

Online marketplaces have also become key battlegrounds in the fight against counterfeits and IP infringement. The demand for effective collaboration between marketplace operators and brand protection leaders has never been greater. Despite shared interests, current collaboration is hampered by several persistent challenges. Amplifying the need for greater alignment and collaboration for faster and more effective infringement takedowns.

• Hear directly from marketplace leaders about how they prioritise brand protection, manage takedowns and collaborate with rights holders.
• Learn actionable approaches for connecting with marketplace IP teams, submitting high-quality reports and the benefits of becoming trusted partners.

Licensing and cross-licensing have evolved far beyond traditional bilateral deals to become sophisticated tools that unlock new markets, foster collaborative innovation and mitigate litigation risks within increasingly complex patent ecosystems. Mastery of next generation licensing strategies, including effectively managing patent pools, multi-party agreements and layered cross-licensing arrangements will help to position your team as highly competitive and commercially effective by the wider organisation.

• Learn how to identify high-potential patent assets suitable for inclusion in patent pools or multi-party cross-licensing agreements to maximise revenue and market influence.
• Discover how patent pools and cross-licensing strategies can spur collaborative innovation, accelerate standards adoption, resolve blocking positions, and open new cross-industry partnerships.
• Hear real-world examples of where advanced licensing strategies delivered commercial wins, greater freedom to operate, litigation avoidance, or entry into new markets.

Challenges posed by counterfeiting through marketplaces, sophisticated infringement and dramatic shifts in policy in today’s IP landscape demands a whole new approach – collaboration rather than competition.

Forming strategic partnerships with your competitors can significantly leverage collective strengths to influence government & marketplace policy, streamline enforcement and safeguard innovation.

• Gain strategies for sharing threat intelligence and best practices with industry peers and authorities to rapidly improve detection and influence policymaking.
• Discover how collaborative campaigns create greater impact and can offer you a seat at the table with large global marketplaces.
• Explore techniques for establishing transparent communication and mutual goals with competitors whilst maintaining your competitive edge and safeguarding brand secrets.

1.     Design Patents & Product Differentiation: Closing the Imitation Gap to Prevent Copycatting

2.     Feedback, Fit, and Follow-Through: Making Outside Counsel Work for You

3.     Influencer Marketing and Online Reputation: Securing Brands in the Era of Viral Trends