Manila, 9 September 2022 - The Asia Pacific Committee of the Licensing Executives Society International (LESI), co-chaired by Quisumbing Torres (QT) Partner Bienvenido Marquez III, hosted "The Road Ahead: Digital Transformation," a webinar on regional insights on tech regulation and compliance as organizations advance their digital transformation (DT) programs, managing an increasing number of high-value, innovation initiatives that require balancing agility with better governance. The event took place on 31 August 2022, and was attended by representatives from LESI, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and other intellectual property stakeholders ranging from large multinational corporations to start-up businesses.
"The need to accelerate digital transformation is the most notable impact of the global pandemic. Many businesses find that digital transformation necessitates a shift away from traditional thinking and toward a more collaborative, experimental approach. As the world becomes more interconnected through the adoption of smart technology, offline modes of operation, supply chains, traditional revenue streams, and brick-and-mortar delivery models have all been disrupted. As we all know, the new normal presents both challenges and opportunities. These new approaches to work reveal new solutions, which in turn can improve customer experience, drive employee innovation, and drive fundamental company growth. On the other hand, we are also witnessing a flood of new policy and regulatory changes, as global trade wars exert increasing pressure. Organizations and industries are now competing for relevance," Bien emphasized in his opening statement.
Kensaku Takase, a partner in Baker McKenzie’s Tokyo office, discussed digital disruption through the lens of the Firm's SMART Framework (Smart Technologies, Modern Workforce, Aggregated Data, Regulation & Regulator Relationships, and Transactions) during his session entitled Key Trends and Legal Issues in Innovation. He shared his observations, including the growing trend of mergers and acquisitions in tech-enabled assets, as well as the significant challenges and opportunities arising from the digital disruption of the IP sector, citing the impact of AI, 5G and related IOT applications.
Other guest speakers included Kyndryl Territory Sales Leader Catherine Palma, who discussed the organization's experience as a leading information technology infrastructure services provider, as well as its role in embracing and carrying forward digital disruption.
WIPO Director Andrew Michael Ong discussed the organization's critical role in gathering up-to-date global IP data from various jurisdictions to enable its stakeholders to understand and capitalize on trends in policy, law, and technology. Andrew also promoted WIPO's 15th edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII), which tracks global innovation trends in the context of a Covid-19 pandemic and highlights the innovation performance of 132 different economies, as well as their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Following the presentations, QT Associate Felicisimo Agas moderated a panel discussion. Bayani Loste, President of the Licensing Executives Society of the Philippines, provided closing remarks to the webinar. QT Associate Angelo Tiglao served as the event's host.