Licensing International’s Brand Protection Summit to tackle counterfeits, AI, marketplace enforcement and more

Licensing International has detailed what’s in-store at next week’s 2026 Brand Protection Summit.

Taking place on March 31st in Washington, D.C., the event will bring together brand executives, legal experts, and leaders from platforms like Amazon and Alibaba International to address evolving threats in the licensing marketplace.

The agenda includes:

• Marketplace Enforcement: What’s Working and What’s Next – A panel featuring experts from Amazon and ArentFox Schiff to unpack proven tactics for high-volume enforcement across marketplaces, social commerce, and live shopping.

• Partnering Effectively with Law Enforcement – Panel session from experts at National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center and Alibaba International that will provide a roadmap for transforming brand owner intelligence into actionable referrals targeting organized networks and cross-border supply chains.

• The Trends Fueling Counterfeiting – A fireside chat with industry experts, Mike Dunn, Founder and Chief Brand Officer at Octane5 International and Paurav Shukla, Professor of Marketing and Department Head of Research at Southampton Business School, to learn about the democratization of luxury goods and licensing.

• AI, UGC, and the Next Wave of Licensing Risk – A panel offering insights into how generative AI, creator commerce, and short-form platforms are reshaping infringement, derivative works, and contract drafting.

“Brand protection is a growing priority for companies across the licensing industry,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International.

“As technology reshapes how products are created and marketed, companies need the tools and partnerships to safeguard their IP, which is exactly what this summit is designed to address.”

Pamela Deese, Partner at ArentFox Schiff, added: “Protecting brands today requires close collaboration between brand owners, digital platforms, and enforcement authorities.

“This summit provides an opportunity for leaders to share practical insights, from marketplace takedowns to law enforcement referrals, that help companies stay ahead of these increasingly sophisticated threats.”

For more information and to register, visit licensinginternational.org/events/brand-protection-summit/.