Austin Technology Council’s Power Lunch Features Congressman Lamar Smith

Congressman Smith will speak to Austin Technology Council members and guests about immigration and intellectual property.

(PRWEB) August 24, 2006 -- On Wednesday, August 30, 2005, area business and community leaders will gather for Austin Technology Council’s Power Lunch to hear Congressman Lamar Smith’s address entitled “Immigration and Intellectual Property - What's Next”. The ATC Power Lunch featuring Congressman Smith will be held from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Austin Country Club in Austin. Congressman Smith will outline important changes and developments in many aspects of IP law and practice.

"The economic growth of the high tech industry world wide is mirrored in Austin where companies that were unknown twenty years ago are household names today," stated Congressman Smith. "High tech inventions are the engine of America's economy. IP industries account for over half of all U.S. exports. They represent 40% of our economic growth and employ 18 million Americans. U.S. intellectual property represents approximately $5 trillion - or about half of U.S. GDP. Conversely, IP theft costs U.S. businesses approximately $250 billion annually and results in the loss of hundreds of thousands of American jobs. In short, intellectual property is vital to our economy, and we must protect it."

Of note, the National Journal named Congressman Smith one of the 100 most influential people in Washington, D.C. The Information Technology Industry Council named Smith as its 2005 Legislator of the Year for his leadership on high-tech issues. In 2006, he was named one of the 50 most influential people in the world of intellectual property by Managing IP Magazine. He was also presented with the Semiconductor Industry Association’s Congressional Leadership Award for his contributions to the U.S. semiconductor industry, and was honored by the Defenders of Property Rights for his work to protect intellectual property.

In the 109th Congress, Smith continues as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property of the House Judiciary Committee. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over digital rights, copyright and patent protections, piracy, secure networks, peer-to-peer networks, fair use standards, litigation management, cyber-security, state sovereign immunity, patent and trademark office reform, e-commerce, the administration of U.S. Courts, Federal Rules of Evidence, Civil and Appellate Procedure, judicial ethics and Article III federal judgeships. He also sits on the Immigration Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.

“Intellectual property is an area of law that’s fraught with complexity,” said Alisha Ring, President, Austin Technology Council. “We eagerly anticipate Congressman Smith’s remarks regarding practice issues, the accelerated rate of change, and the ever-increasing demands on the knowledge and skills of IP practitioners.”

The August 30 ATC Power Lunch is sponsored by Winstead (www.winstead.com).

Price of admission to the Power Lunch is $45 for ATC members; $55 for non-members. To reserve space for this event, send an email to Austin Technology Council.

About Austin Technology Council
The Austin Technology Council is a professionally managed, member-driven non-profit association of Central Texas businesses and organizations working together to promote and enhance the growth and success of Austin’s technology sector through education, networking, mentoring, jobs, economic development, funding, and political support.

The Austin Technology Council is the only organization that exclusively represents the interests of the technology community in Central Texas. As such it is dedicated to helping technology companies in Central Texas grow and thrive through education, networking, mentoring, jobs, economic development, funding, and political support for area technology entrepreneurs and executives, and the service providers that support the industry. ATC represents hundreds of members and maintains its dedication to developing the Austin community into a world leader in technology.

For more information please visit www.austintechnologycouncil.org.

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