Product Authentication and Brand Security Conference
CHICAGO, Ill.—Brand owners and other IP owners, security solutions providers, and suppliers to the industry can benefit from a unique forum for information interchange and networking: PABS08 North America—the fifth annual international Product Authentication and Brand Security Conference—to be held in Chicago, Ill. at the Hyatt Rosemont, Sept. 11-12 2008.
This event brings together experts from many disciplines to discuss the main issues, the legal aspects, strategies, and technology solutions that contribute to the fight against counterfeiting and piracy. Organized by AWA Conferences & Events in association with the Brand Protection Alliance (BPA) and the Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM Global), PABS08 North America is additionally supported and sponsored by CACP (Coalition against Counterfeiting and Piracy), NASPO (North American Security Organization), the Brand Protection Council (BPC), and the International Anti Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), together with leading technology suppliers and media.
The conference program focuses on issues, challenges, and solutions, as well as emerging brand protection opportunities. The formal agenda opens with presentations defining and discussing the role of associations in the fight against IP theft from Mike O’Neil, chairman of NASPO and Rob Calia, director, Domestic Programs for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center.
An unusual feature for a conference program follows: a special screening of the new National Geographic film “Illicit: The Dark Trade,” based on the bestselling book by Dr. Moises Naim, editor of Foreign Policy magazine. The film is a hard-hitting exposé of the vast international criminal system behind counterfeit consumer goods.
The film is followed by an examination of action in this arena at governmental level, with updates from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Commercial Service Exporter Support Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
PABS08’s keynote presentation focuses on the Justice Department’s efforts to protect intellectual property rights in a paper delivered by C. Graham Gerst, senior counsel to the deputy attorney general and vice chair of the U.S. DOJ Intellectual Property Task Force.
Parallel specialist panel discussion sessions give delegates a valuable opportunity to learn from, and discuss with, brand owners and suppliers about key topics in specific markets. On safeguarding the healthcare supply chain, delegates will hear from speakers from Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson LifeScan. Motorola’s Global Brand Protection Manager will join the discussion on challenges and current actions against counterfeiting in the consumer goods sector. Coca-Cola’s Trademark Attorney will share the company’s experiences in securing the food and beverage supply chain. The world’s largest optical retailers, Luxottica Retail, will address the retail supply chain.
The program moves on to practical solutions, following a testimonial on the real-world impact of counterfeit products from Prof. Rick Roberts of the University of San Francisco. The resources a brand owner needs to build a world-class brand protection program are examined by Ken Branch of Latitude 49 Security Assurance Systems; and Attorney Don deKieffer of deKieffer & Horgan looks at legal remedies for the attacked brand owner.
Following a ‘supplier forum’ featuring short company presentations from key players in the product authentication and brand security industry, the program closes with an AIM Global technology session looking at automatic identification in brand authentication, and demonstrating how a leading global brand owner protects its customers and its products with automatic identification technologies.
The formal conference is complemented by a tabletop and mini-exhibition and extensive networking opportunities, including a cocktail reception hosted by the BPA. Full details of the PABS08 North America: Product Authentication and Brand Security Conference 2008 are available from AWA Conferences & Events’ Web site, www.awa-bv.com, where you can register online.
