Agenda

David Kappos, Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce and Director, United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Remarks

Ravi Sawhney, Founder and CEO, RKS Design, Co-Author, Predictable Magic
Mr. Sawhney is also noted for his legendary contribution to the development of the touch-screen interface (GUI) while at Xerox PARC. Presentation

The links between climate change, green innovation and job creation are apparent as a growing number of countries address this new reality with significant resources. From developed to developing nations - action is the operative word - and technology cooperation, partnerships and innovative networks are fundamental building blocks. This session will address some of those emerging efforts; underscore the economic interdependency of our world and point towards positive change on the horizon.

Our distinguished speakers will set the stage and explore the relationship between innovation, green technology, IP protection, and job creation. With the potential of developing nations to provide solutions applicable to the developed world – from “the rest to the west” - this session also spotlights public-private initiatives such as that of Kenya’s to create local clean tech jobs and to boost SME innovation in partnership with Denmark’s government and its green industry. And as the venture capital community focuses on the world at large, learn how VCs are propelling viable technologies and promoting entrepreneurism in the rapidly evolving climate tech marketplace.

MODERATOR: Ravi Sawhney, Founder and CEO, RKS Design

• H.E. Elkanah Odembo, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the U.S.
  Background to the Ambassador's presentation
• Dr. Stuart Graham, Chief Economist, USPTO Presentation
• Greg Kats, Venture Partner, Good Energies Presentation

Optional tour & introduction of Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA)

Moving ideas from the lab to the WORLD holds increasing urgency with the very security of nations, economies and citizens linked to vital energy services. And each stage within the innovation journey must be optimized to deliver commercially viable technologies, deployed at scale, with innovation equity protected. How are universities leveraging resources, increasing public-private investments and stimulating cross-sector collaboration? How are the opportunities in emerging markets creating new partnerships and new solutions to mitigate climate change?

This expert panel will discuss the role of tech transfer in green technology diffusion, both in the U.S. and internationally. Reverse innovation, and the innovation imperative for developing nations will be explored. And as diplomats and international climate change specialists prepare for COP 17 in Durban, South Africa, the debate around IP as a help or hindrance to global green tech transfer is resuming. Hear how governments and industry are preparing for these negotiations, formulating a country-driven approach and shaping what is known as the Cancún “Technology Mechanism”.

MODERATOR: Dominic Keating, Patent Attorney, Office of External Affairs, USPTO

• Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Managing Director, Global Sustainability Initiative, Purdue University Presentation
• Jill A. Tarzian Sorensen, Executive Director, Baltimore Electric Vehicle Initiative (BEVI); Innovation Manager, International Center for Sustainable Development Presentation
• Jessica Morey, Project Director, Clean Energy Group Presentation
• Drew Nelson, Lead Tech Negotiator, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), U.S. Department of State Presentation

James Housel, Director, GIPA, USPTO

The green energy revolution is driven by imagination and predominantly fueled by industry. From established multinational corporations operating in hundreds of nations to niche SMEs creating and scaling new technologies – barriers to financing continue to thwart breakthrough solutions to climate change. The importance of grants, initiatives and private equity funded R&D to accelerate transformational technologies can not be minimized. How do we reduce barriers to innovation and prioritize research? What stages are most critical and how do start-ups avoid the “valley of death”? As these technologies mature, how are they evaluated, selected and integrated in the grid? And how has the USPTO Green Tech Pilot Program benefited companies in accelerating patents and protecting clean tech innovation?

This business-focused session will emphasize strategies and initiatives of established industry leaders and entrepreneurs –each detailing successes and challenges in identifying, creating and deploying renewables and clean tech. The underpinning of IP will be discussed in the context of protecting value to investors and attracting early-stage funding.

MODERATOR: Terry Morgan, Chairman of the Board, Diplomacy Matters Institute

• Allison Mages, Senior Counsel, IP Procurement and Policy, GE Presentation
• Dr. Keith Evans, President & CEO, Kyma Technologies Presentation
• Mark Webb, Director, Policy & Business Evaluation, Alternative Energy Solutions, Dominion Resources Services Presentation
• Jacqueline Stone, Patent Operations Lead, Green Tech Pilot Program, USPTO Presentation

The path towards a low-carbon, sustainable energy future necessitates well-orchestrated, consistent government policies and forward-thinking incentives at all levels - local, state, federal and global. At this critical juncture, how are governments stimulating development, promoting energy efficiency, prioritizing clean tech R&D and strengthening innovation by SMES? How does IP play into this framework, as a protection for innovation or a bridge for international collaboration?

Given the complexity of this challenge, hear from experts discussing current and future programs to address climate change and stimulate public-private partnerships. With developing nations most at risk from climate change, learn how the World Bank is structuring capacity-building and financing for SMEs to become proactively and profitably involved in creating local climate technology solutions. These Climate Innovation Centers (CIC) are an example of industry-government partnerships designed to close gaps in tech transfer and spur domestic innovation in developing nations.

MODERATOR: Elias B. Hinckley, Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton

• Matthew Dunne, Chief Counsel, Dept. of Energy, ARPA-E Presentation
• Dr. Rama Rao, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Presentation
• Camille Mittelholtz, Deputy Director, Office of Safety, Energy and Environment, U.S. Department of Transportation Presentation
• Anthony Lambkin, Tech Lead, Climate Technology Program, World Bank Presentation

Dominic Keating, Patent Attorney, Office of External Affairs, USPTO

Lynn Van Fleit, Executive Director, Diplomacy Matters Institute