I recieved a phone call, similarly described in usacomplaints.com by a former Marcu Evans summit employee.
My call went something like this:
Hi, my name is % with the Intellectual Property Legal group of Macus Evans. I'm working with a group of VPs and Chief IP litigation and prosecution counsel. Many are interested in hiring new outside IP Counsel. These companies are midsize and large. For example, fortune 500 name dropping and IP Legal counsel name dropping galore.
And the reason why I'm calling you SPECIFICALLY* today is because our group is interested in a company that does WHAT YOU GUYS DO*.
... We work very closely with these executives to identify specific intellectual property needs they may have over the next year. We are very careful in selecting who we work with. They tell us all their needs and are the people who make the decisions for hiring outside counsel. Once collect their information and needs we provide the information to you. You also provide us information about your expertise and we provide your information to the companies. We set up a big IP Summit meeting so that in-house IP counsel and outside IP attorneys can get CLE credit and meet via computer created mutually selected one-on-one meetings.
The cost is $35,000... (but the price kept droping over a period of weeks).
You are guaranteed 10-15 meetings with Corporate decision makers who are definately looking for additional outside counsel.
We only work with a select group of solution providers like you. The ONLY reason why I'm contacting you today is because we are aware of your excellent reputation in the IP arena and we have a few openings left.
Long story short: The Corporate counsel were also scammed to show up at the Summit. The went for free or for a very discounted price if they agreed to interview 6 to 8 legal venders. Most did not have any need for additional counsel. The in-house attorneys just wanted their CLE credit and a resort to visit.
Yes, you will meet many of the high-up IP counsel and perhaps decision makers from well known corporations. No, they were not carefully screened, nor did they work with anyone from Marcus Evans to determine if they really had any need for additional or new outside patent counsel for litigation, prosecution or contract work. I would bet that not a single IP attorney got a good solid lead toward new work. If anything is to be gained, it will occur in months and months of lead follow up, which most attorneys do anyway regardless of the CLE or IP convention they go to.
Any additional impromptu meeting that are provided are merely introductions with no substance. You are on your own baby. There is very little value added by Marcus Evans.
Don't do this. Don't get ripped off! It is hugely expensive and does not provide the returns promised. This is a too good to be true IP Summit meeting. Use your marketing, CLE or conference money elsewere.
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