SAN DIEGO, March 16, 2010 - On March 27, 2010, the Business Law Society and Student Intellectual Property Society at California Western School of Law will host Expanding into Global Markets through Transborder Licensing, a day-long conference on job creation through international technology licensing. The conference is ideal for businesses and attorneys interested in exporting their products and services abroad.

Professor Andrea Johnson, director of the Telecommunications and Intellectual Property Law Center

"The impetus of the conference is to create jobs," says Professor Andrea Johnson, director of the Telecommunications and Intellectual Property Law Center and organizer of the conference. 

American Business on the Global Scale
Less than one percent of American businesses export their products or services. Of those businesses, only 58 percent export to more than one country. With President Obama's promise to double American export growth within the next five years, exploring new opportunities to reach global markets is important now more than ever.

In light of this pressing economic goal, Expanding into Global Markets addresses four key areas to increasing exports and creating jobs:

1. Encouraging students to explore new industries that create jobs, particularly in technology;
2. educating on the life cycle of biotech and high tech companies;
3. convincing small- and medium-sized businesses to consider exporting their technology abroad and give them access to resources on how to do it;
4. and engaging in a dialogue with the U.S. government about job creation.

Distinguished Speakers
Expanding into Global Markets will feature a diversity of legal, industry, and government experts to discuss the opportunities for growth by tapping into global markets. Some notable speakers who will address the aforementioned key areas are:

Irving A. Williamson, Commissioner, U.S. International Trade Commission
Over 40 years of experience in international trade and policy, worked with over 20 U.S. Agency for International Development projects, conducted World Trade Organization trainings, former president of International Trade Strategies, Inc.

Lori Cooper, Senior Advisor, Office of the European Union, U.S. Department of Commerce
Develops strategies and programs to foster awareness in government and private sector of impact on U.S. interests of E.U. regulatory and standards practices, develops ongoing U.S.-E.U. mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation

Paul J. Corson, Senior Advisor, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce
Work focuses on promoting high-growth entrepreneurship and accelerating technology commercialization of federal research and development

Jacob V. Handy '01, Partner, DLA Piper LLP
Heads Southern California Life Sciences transactional practice with emphasis on intellectual property rights, works with technology-based companies on IP acquisition and licensing strategy

California Western will provide three faculty members to be a part of the conference. Assistant Dean for Mission Development and Director of Proyecto ACCESO James M. Cooper, Director of the Telecommunications and Intellectual Property Law Center Andrea Johnson, and corporate and securities scholar Jeff Schwartz will present at the conference.

All speakers contribute to a panoramic perspective on global markets and provide attendees with the knowledge and skills to think beyond America's borders.   

"We want businesses to have a 'Hmmmm' moment where they consider exporting as a viable way to expand the market for their goods and services," says Johnson. "We want to energize students to use self-help to create new jobs for their generation. We want government to recognize how students are engaged in helping create jobs for Americans."

Expanding into Global Markets through Transborder Licensing
The conference will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at California Western School of Law (350 Cedar Street, San Diego, CA 92103).

CLE credit is available for this conference.

The event is free and open to the public. Lunch is available for purchase the day of the conference and can be pre-ordered during registration.

Attendees must register online.