Under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Marwan Hamade, the Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, the Licensing Executives Society - Arab Countries (LES-AC) in cooperation with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh & Co. organized a seminar on "International Trademark Licensing", which was held June 1, 2004 at Gefinor Rotana hotel in Beirut, Lebanon.
The seminar focused on the importance of trademarks as essential elements of international commerce, and on the important role of licensing agreements, as they are a key factor for the economic development of developing countries.
Speakers tackled the following: how can trademark be used against infringers, the legal and financial elements of license agreements, new trends in Lebanese and Arab franchising issues, trademark protection concerns of franchisers, trademark law in Lebanon, recent court decisions on unfair competition, and the trademark and competition law aspects.
The seminar aimed at developing efficiency and providing a wealth of knowledge to the business community, governmental and public bodies, lawyers, licensing consultants, academics, engineers and scientists on the economic importance of licensing and franchising, and their role in protecting trademarks.
Keynote speakers took part in the event such as: Professor Heinz Goddar – former president of LES International, Mr. Mohamed Alem – LES Arab Countries vice president, Ms. Leila Laila – Lebanese lawyer specializing in Franchising, Mr. Nader Obeid – Head of Litigation, Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Department at Alem Law Firm and Ms. Ruba Qalyoubi – LES Arab Countries Board Member.