Press Releases

ANN ARBOR - Steven L. Oberholtzer, managing partner of the Ann Arbor, MI office of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the U.S., is leading the revitalization of the Michigan chapter of the Licensing Executives Society (LES), a professional society comprised of more than 6,000 members engaged in the transfer, use, development, manufacture and marketing of intellectual property. Mr. Oberholtzer now serves as co-chair of the Michigan chapter, along with Mark Robinson of KOIOS Consulting Group, LLC of Ann Arbor.

According to Mr. Oberholtzer, the Michigan chapter had been relatively inactive in recent years, but the downturn in the economy has more companies focusing on how they can leverage their intellectual property as an asset through licensing.

"The current business climate is driving more entrepreneurial companies and there is an increasing need for these companies to be more aggressive in leveraging their intellectual property assets through licensing and other business arrangements," explained Mr. Oberholtzer.

The first 2009 meeting of the Michigan chapter of LES was held at Brinks' Ann Arbor office on Thursday, February 12, and guest speakers included Henry E. Fradkin, Value Extraction LLC, presenting "Extracting Value from Intellectual Assets"; Dr. Michael Kurek, Biotechnology Business Consultants LLC, presenting "Role of Licensing in the Business Models of Biotech Companies"; and Dr. Doyle Skinner, Packer Engineering, Inc, presenting "The Role of the Technologist in Licensing."

Future Michigan chapter LES meetings are scheduled to be held on May 14, August 13, and November 12, 2009. LES membership includes a wide range of professionals, including business executives, lawyers, licensing consultants, engineers, academicians, scientists and government officials. To learn more about LES or to join the Michigan chapter, please contact Steve Oberholtzer at soberholtzer@brinkshofer.com.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago, with five additional offices across the country, including Ann Arbor, serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world. The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 170 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks and brand names for a wide variety of products and services.