Land is the only thing in the world that amounts to anything.
Thank you Atlanta for wonderful hospitality and a warm welcome to us all. We bid you goodnight.
posted by Michael at
10:42 PM
Monday, August 09, 2004
Thank you Atlanta for wonderful hospitality and a warm welcome to us all. We bid you goodnight.
Oh The Places We've Been
The free tracking program we're using to track visitors, page loads, repeat visitors, etc. to the Blog has shown a surprising array of activity. We've received visits to the Blog from the following locations:
United States
Australia
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Israel
Italy
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Singapore
Sweden
The power of the Internet to reach new audiences never ceases to amaze us.
We've opened up the tracking site so that everyone can view the stats:
posted by Michael McGuire at
9:54 PM
Final Wrap for Committee Leadership
Monday afternoon, Vince and Candace called to order the last official meeting for the Committee at the 2004 Annual Meeting. Vince reminded of us some of the recent changes to the committee leadership structure, including:
The Internet Jurisdiction subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Global E-Commerce are merging into a single group, to be named at a later date. Michael Geist and John Gregory will co-lead the group (and will certainly propose that an upcoming Winter Working Meeting be held somewhere in Canada -- will the Minneapolis contingent be able to bear with the competition?).
John Lunseth is taking over the Programs chair from Hank Judy, and John has already begun to schedule out the Spring and Summer sessions for next year! Don't hesitate to get your ideas before John if you wish to be on the podium in the coming year.
Mike McGuire is passing on some of his current portfolio -- the seat on the ABA Publications Board -- to Eric Goldman. Mike will continue to hold the publications chair for the Committee, and has been tasked to expand the Committee's use of technology to communicate and work with its members (including the continuing expansion of this very blog!).
We were joined during our meeting by the Chair of the ABA's Diversity Committee, Jackie Parker. Jackie and Vince reminded all of us of the ABA's -- and the Committee's -- standing goals to expand and maintain the diversity of our membership, leadership and those who present and create product for our committee. Jackie reminded us of many of the tools available to our groups. For example, the ABA and the Diversity Committee stand ready to provide references for potential speakers or authors with specific interests and areas of practice to join a panel. The ABA has programs to assist potential new members of our Committee with travel expenses, such as an outstanding program in conjunction with the Young Lawyers Division. If you would like to discuss any of these programs or ideas, be sure to contact Jackie: jacqueline-parker [at] bankone [dot] com.
We were joined during our meeting by the Chair of the ABA's Diversity Committee, Jackie Parker. Jackie and Vince reminded all of us of the ABA's -- and the Committee's -- standing goals to expand and maintain the diversity of our membership, leadership and those who present and create product for our committee. Jackie reminded us of many of the tools available to our groups. For example, the ABA and the Diversity Committee stand ready to provide references for potential speakers or authors with specific interests and areas of practice to join a panel. The ABA has programs to assist potential new members of our Committee with travel expenses, such as an outstanding program in conjunction with the Young Lawyers Division. If you would like to discuss any of these programs or ideas, be sure to contact Jackie: jacqueline-parker [at] bankone [dot] com.
And with that, we had planes to catch, and bills to pay. The sessions were officially closed.
posted by Michael at
3:46 PM
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
The ABA Cyberspace committee meetings have come to an end in Atlanta. My personal, heartfelt thanks to those of you who participated in-person, and thru the blog (we THINK we've had on the order of 500 readers over the past week). My special thanks to blog-commanders Michael Fleming and Michael McGuire, and to outgoing program-commander Hank Judy.
We've made a great deal of progress in Atlanta. Come join us at our winter working meeting at Stanford, January 28-29, 2005 (where we'll no doubt run another blog, and a wiki, too).
Vince
We've made a great deal of progress in Atlanta. Come join us at our winter working meeting at Stanford, January 28-29, 2005 (where we'll no doubt run another blog, and a wiki, too).
Vince
posted by Vince Polley at
3:42 PM
Ephemeral Nature of Blogs
Don't Forget -- These Blogs are meant for Real Time discourse, but are not well designed as long term archival tools.
Thus, remember the Law Hub -- the Cyberspace Committee's unofficial official home. Many of the materials you see discussed here are already posted there, and more to follow. If you would like to become a member, contact Vince Polley at vpolley <@> slb.com.
Thus, remember the Law Hub -- the Cyberspace Committee's unofficial official home. Many of the materials you see discussed here are already posted there, and more to follow. If you would like to become a member, contact Vince Polley at vpolley <@> slb.com.
posted by Michael at
3:29 PM
New Sci Fi Book Plays out Cyberspace Law Issues (item moved)
In the interest of space management, we've moved McGuire's fun (but long...) post on the brave new world of fictional electronic contracting (fiction about electronic contracts???) down to here.
posted by Michael at
10:16 AM
Epstein Demo of New Web Site
Jason Epstein demonstrates the new Model Corporate Website tool before the CAIT meeting on Monday morning.
posted by Michael at
9:51 AM
CAIT
Vendor Liability for Security Flaws
Don Cohn started the meeting with a description of a suggestion for a new project to create a standard set of reps and warrants that companies could demand from software vendors relating to the lack of security flaws in the vendor's products [Watch 6mb Quicktime Movie of Don]. If you're interested in this as a potential project, please contact Don.
Assessing the Security Risks of Third Party Vendors
Continuing the general subject, Michael Fleming then described an existing project that focused on how to conduct due diligence or assessments of third party vendors. GLBA and other laws now require that some companies only use vendors who have demonstrated they are capable of maintaining appropriate safeguards for data.
Mike demonstrated a sample self-assessment checklist to start the project. It will soon be loaded to the LawHub. Given the draft nature of the document, it will not be publicly available until later.
The interesting twist on this project is that Fleming plans to use a Wiki for group members to comment on and to develop the text for the security document. He showed a live Wiki he has created for the project. This will be a fun way to try out one of the latest collaborative authoring tools. Group members will be able to edit the document, show their edits to others, and the group can "vote" the changes up and down. This will be a fun experiment. [LINK TO BE POSTED LATER]
The Wiki is being hosted by editme.
Demonstration of the Model Web Site
Jason Epstein then demonstrated the current version of the Model Website. It will eventually be packaged as a book and CD combination for publication and sale by the ABA. The Model Web site is intended for use by lawyers and businesses to help them understand the legal challenges involved in operating a Web site to sell goods or services. It contains sample Web pages with annotations and pop-up text to identify issues and suggest ways of resolving them.
The group was in general agreement that this was one of the most innovative projects we've had in a long time. It's interactive, it breaks our traditinal publication models, and it presents material in a whole new way.
Don Cohn started the meeting with a description of a suggestion for a new project to create a standard set of reps and warrants that companies could demand from software vendors relating to the lack of security flaws in the vendor's products [Watch 6mb Quicktime Movie of Don]. If you're interested in this as a potential project, please contact Don.
Assessing the Security Risks of Third Party Vendors
Continuing the general subject, Michael Fleming then described an existing project that focused on how to conduct due diligence or assessments of third party vendors. GLBA and other laws now require that some companies only use vendors who have demonstrated they are capable of maintaining appropriate safeguards for data.
Mike demonstrated a sample self-assessment checklist to start the project. It will soon be loaded to the LawHub. Given the draft nature of the document, it will not be publicly available until later.
The interesting twist on this project is that Fleming plans to use a Wiki for group members to comment on and to develop the text for the security document. He showed a live Wiki he has created for the project. This will be a fun way to try out one of the latest collaborative authoring tools. Group members will be able to edit the document, show their edits to others, and the group can "vote" the changes up and down. This will be a fun experiment. [LINK TO BE POSTED LATER]
The Wiki is being hosted by editme.
Demonstration of the Model Web Site
Jason Epstein then demonstrated the current version of the Model Website. It will eventually be packaged as a book and CD combination for publication and sale by the ABA. The Model Web site is intended for use by lawyers and businesses to help them understand the legal challenges involved in operating a Web site to sell goods or services. It contains sample Web pages with annotations and pop-up text to identify issues and suggest ways of resolving them.
The group was in general agreement that this was one of the most innovative projects we've had in a long time. It's interactive, it breaks our traditinal publication models, and it presents material in a whole new way.
posted by Michael McGuire at
9:20 AM
ABA Model Trading Partner Protocol
The group met this morning to enjoy Chocolate (yes, Jamie came through on the advertised promise) and work towards pushing the project across the finish line. The Model Electronic Commerce Trading Partner Covenants (2004) are nearly finished.
The group today included a few new members, and it also demonstrated a unique phenomenon that many of us enjoy about the Cyberspace Law Committee--the group included private practitioners, law professors, government regulators, representatives of standards-setting bodies, and in house lawyers. Together, they continued to grapple with the challenges of how to create contracts that will actually facilitate commerce and that won't stretch the current legal frameworks too much. Quintessential work of the Cyberspace Law Committee.
The draft of the 2004 Update is available here.
And, because we have the capabilities, but we haven't done it yet, we took a short Quicktime movie at the Working Group meeting. For history's sake. It's safe for viewing at work or in public places.
The group today included a few new members, and it also demonstrated a unique phenomenon that many of us enjoy about the Cyberspace Law Committee--the group included private practitioners, law professors, government regulators, representatives of standards-setting bodies, and in house lawyers. Together, they continued to grapple with the challenges of how to create contracts that will actually facilitate commerce and that won't stretch the current legal frameworks too much. Quintessential work of the Cyberspace Law Committee.
The draft of the 2004 Update is available here.
And, because we have the capabilities, but we haven't done it yet, we took a short Quicktime movie at the Working Group meeting. For history's sake. It's safe for viewing at work or in public places.
posted by Michael McGuire at
7:29 AM
Sunday, August 08, 2004
Working Group on Electronic Contracting Practices
The Lottery Case
The Working Group opened its meeting with a discussion of unilateral modifications of contract terms. The first item for discussion was a Michigan case involving the interpretation of a contract for a subscription to a lottery. Paulsen v. Bureau of State Lottery, 421 N.W.2d 678 (Mich.App. 1988). The plaintiff purchased the ability to play the same lottery number for 52 drawings. The contract clearly stated it's terms were subject to the rules and directives of the Bureau of State Lottery. After the contract was signed, the Bureau decided to hold drawings twice a week, rather than once per week. Thus, reducing the period of weeks, but not the number of drawings, in which the Plaintiff would participating in the lottery with their pre-chosen lottery number. The plaintiff relocated before the change in terms occurred and did not receive the mailed notice of the change from the Bureau. Later, the Plaintiff's regular lottery number was selected in a $3.6 million lottery. The Plaintiff notified the Bureau her number was selected. The Bureau responded that her pre-purchased 52 drawings had all been used a few short weeks prior. The Plaintiff sued and lost. The court held the change in the lottery schedule was not an impermissible modification of the contract and that making the contract subject to the rules, regulations, and directives of the Bureau was not unconsciounable.
Effective Email Notices
The group also discussed a recent case in Massachusetts in which the court held that email was not an effective way to provide a binding notice to company employees. See It's Official--You Don't Have to Read Your Boss's Emails (Steptoe & Johnson’s Ecommerce Law Week, 3 July 2004).
Elaine's Article
Elaine Ziff and Hawa Allan of Skadden Arps distributed a recent paper they concluded for the Working Group on Using Opt-In or Opt-Out Mechanisms to Obtain Customer Assent to Modifications of Standard Form Electronic Arguments. The article contains numerous examples of real situations where these principles were at work.
John's Article
During the meeting, John Tomaszewski commandeered my computer and dug up an old article he wrote many years ago on a similar topic. John P. Tomaszewski, The Enforceability of Adhesive Arbitration Clauses in International Software Licenses, 3.1 J. Tech. L. & Pol'y 4(1997).
Novation?
The Group also mentioned that we may want to look closely at the applicability of the legal doctrine of novation. In other words, when terms change on a Web site, are you modifying a prior agreement or are you entering into a new agreement?
Next Steps
The group will probably begin working on a detailed draft of a PowerPoint presentation for use at the January meeting. We will likely create the presentation draft using the LawHub' collaboration tools. Look for an announcement to the group via the listserve.
The Working Group opened its meeting with a discussion of unilateral modifications of contract terms. The first item for discussion was a Michigan case involving the interpretation of a contract for a subscription to a lottery. Paulsen v. Bureau of State Lottery, 421 N.W.2d 678 (Mich.App. 1988). The plaintiff purchased the ability to play the same lottery number for 52 drawings. The contract clearly stated it's terms were subject to the rules and directives of the Bureau of State Lottery. After the contract was signed, the Bureau decided to hold drawings twice a week, rather than once per week. Thus, reducing the period of weeks, but not the number of drawings, in which the Plaintiff would participating in the lottery with their pre-chosen lottery number. The plaintiff relocated before the change in terms occurred and did not receive the mailed notice of the change from the Bureau. Later, the Plaintiff's regular lottery number was selected in a $3.6 million lottery. The Plaintiff notified the Bureau her number was selected. The Bureau responded that her pre-purchased 52 drawings had all been used a few short weeks prior. The Plaintiff sued and lost. The court held the change in the lottery schedule was not an impermissible modification of the contract and that making the contract subject to the rules, regulations, and directives of the Bureau was not unconsciounable.
Effective Email Notices
The group also discussed a recent case in Massachusetts in which the court held that email was not an effective way to provide a binding notice to company employees. See It's Official--You Don't Have to Read Your Boss's Emails (Steptoe & Johnson’s Ecommerce Law Week, 3 July 2004).
Elaine's Article
Elaine Ziff and Hawa Allan of Skadden Arps distributed a recent paper they concluded for the Working Group on Using Opt-In or Opt-Out Mechanisms to Obtain Customer Assent to Modifications of Standard Form Electronic Arguments. The article contains numerous examples of real situations where these principles were at work.
John's Article
During the meeting, John Tomaszewski commandeered my computer and dug up an old article he wrote many years ago on a similar topic. John P. Tomaszewski, The Enforceability of Adhesive Arbitration Clauses in International Software Licenses, 3.1 J. Tech. L. & Pol'y 4
Novation?
The Group also mentioned that we may want to look closely at the applicability of the legal doctrine of novation. In other words, when terms change on a Web site, are you modifying a prior agreement or are you entering into a new agreement?
Next Steps
The group will probably begin working on a detailed draft of a PowerPoint presentation for use at the January meeting. We will likely create the presentation draft using the LawHub' collaboration tools. Look for an announcement to the group via the listserve.
posted by Michael McGuire at
3:44 PM
Adware, Spyware Presentation
When you get two opposing lawyers from real, pending cases, you almost always have an interesting time. The Adware presentation today was no exception. Terrence Ross of Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher and Celia Goldwag Barenholtz of Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman sparred with one another and recapped the debates of many of the cases involved Gator and When U. The audience was treated to a very good debate on the issues.
The other presenters, Jeffrey K. Rohrs, the President of Optiem, Neil Smith of the Howard Rice firm also provided excellent background. The additional PowerPoint materials from the presentation will soon be avaialble on the LawHub.
John Ottaviani of Edwards and Angell and Eric Goldman moderated.
The advance presentation materials are available here. [ABA Web Site ID Required]
posted by Michael McGuire at
2:32 PM
WG on Transferrability of Electronic Financial Assets
At the Working Group on Electronic Financial Assets' meeting co-chair Linda Rusch gave a presentation on current industry activity with respect to electronic bills of lading and warehouse receipts. Apparently, they are in use in fivc settings, often based on private agreements and special regulatory provisions, rather than relying on the provisions of the UETA and revised Article 7. These settings include the cotton warehousing industry (eCotten), the Bolero system, eCOPS (the New York Board of Trade, for warehousing of coffee and cocoa), transmission of information from shippers to carriers, and an XML program developed for petroleum products. Linda prepared a handout titled Examples of Electronic Document of Title Systems. You can view the document by visiting the LawHub page for the Subcommittee on Electronic Financial Services [Members Only]
However, the current (and long-standing) problem to be solved is how attorneys can reliably assess whether a computer system meets the "control" test in UCC Article 9, UETA, and E-Sign. Today's discussion focused on how attorneys need to interact with technologists to meet this need, whether to generate a legal opinion, or to perform due diligence, or to examine a witness in a bankruptcy case.
This question has a real world application to the question of how to rate securities backed by transferable records. Apparently, chattel paper issuers are starting to take advantage of Revised Article 9's rules on electronic chattel paper and securitizing the chattel paper. They need the resulting securities rated and but the question is how to do it. Worse, the law firms for the issuers are not at all sure how to give legal opinions on the systems.
It was the most entertaining meeting of the working group in years.
However, the current (and long-standing) problem to be solved is how attorneys can reliably assess whether a computer system meets the "control" test in UCC Article 9, UETA, and E-Sign. Today's discussion focused on how attorneys need to interact with technologists to meet this need, whether to generate a legal opinion, or to perform due diligence, or to examine a witness in a bankruptcy case.
This question has a real world application to the question of how to rate securities backed by transferable records. Apparently, chattel paper issuers are starting to take advantage of Revised Article 9's rules on electronic chattel paper and securitizing the chattel paper. They need the resulting securities rated and but the question is how to do it. Worse, the law firms for the issuers are not at all sure how to give legal opinions on the systems.
It was the most entertaining meeting of the working group in years.
posted by Vince Polley at
1:28 PM
RFID
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Ben Hayes, of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, gave an excellent, quick presentation on how RFID technologies are developing and some of the privacy challenges that have been raised. His presentation will be available here soon.
He even brought with him samples of the RFID hardware. [The picture shows about 50 small RFID chips in a vial] We were all amazed at how small and cheap the devices are getting. If you have questions, contact Ben at bhayes <@> kl.com.
Ben Hayes, of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, gave an excellent, quick presentation on how RFID technologies are developing and some of the privacy challenges that have been raised. His presentation will be available here soon.
He even brought with him samples of the RFID hardware. [The picture shows about 50 small RFID chips in a vial] We were all amazed at how small and cheap the devices are getting. If you have questions, contact Ben at bhayes <@> kl.com.
posted by Michael McGuire at
12:02 PM
CAN SPAM
Elizabeth Bowles began the presentation with a history of the Spam problem. Being with an ISP, she has a great deal of detail about how much Spam is flowing through the networks, the costs, and burdens it imposes.
Michael Fleming then gave an overview of the Can Spam Act itself to lay the foundation for the ethical discussions by William Denny and Henry Judy. Hank then gave real life examples of how his firm has developed policies and procedures, and new tools, to comply with the Can Spam Act. The PowerPoint slides contain good Web site screen shot examples.
Michael Fleming then gave an overview of the Can Spam Act itself to lay the foundation for the ethical discussions by William Denny and Henry Judy. Hank then gave real life examples of how his firm has developed policies and procedures, and new tools, to comply with the Can Spam Act. The PowerPoint slides contain good Web site screen shot examples.
Program materials are here [ABA ID REQUIRED]. The PowerPoint slides are available on the Law Hub which we invite you to visit, or you can download them directly here.
posted by Michael McGuire at
11:47 AM
A Smattering of Blogs on Law and Technology
UPDATED If you're following our blog, we thought you might like to explore some of the blogs out there that relate to law and technology and other interesting things.
Boing Boing
www.boingboing.net
A Directory of Wonderful Things
Bloglines
http://www.blawglines.com
Site for searching, subscribing and sharing news feeds
Blawgchannel
http://www.blawgchannel.com
Great way to find legal blogs (blawgs)
LessigBlog [currently being guest hosted by Tim Wu]
http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/lessig/blog
PDF for Lawyers
http://www.pdfforlawyers.com/
How to use PDFs in the practice of law
Legal Blogs with XML Feeds
http://radio.weblogs.com/0104634/stories/
2003/02/15/legalSourcesWithXmlFeeds.html
A rather complete list of law-related blogs that provide XML feeds for syndication
Portals and KM
http://billives.typepad.com/portals_and_km/
The Importance Of
http://www.corante.com/importance
Innovation, Creativity, Law
Tech Law Advisor
http://techlawadvisor.com
Payments News
http://www.paymentsnews.com
InternetPolicy.net
http://gipi.typepad.com/internetpolicy/
Weblog of the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI)
Privacy.org
http://www.privacy.org
Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/index.asp
CopyFight
www.corante.com/copyfight
IP and Internet issues
Excited Utterances
http://excitedutterances.blogspot.com/
Law firm knowledge management
Greplaw
http://grep.law.harvard.edu/
Internet law developments
LawMeme
http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme
Technology issues
TechLaw Advisor
http://techlawadvisor.blogspot.com/
Ernie the Attorney
http://www.ernietheattorney.net/
Bag and Baggage
http://bgbg.blogspot.com/
Cyberspaces: Words-Not-Deeds
http://www.cyberspaces.org/webzine
Use the comment feature below to suggest additional blogs to add to the list.
Boing Boing
www.boingboing.net
A Directory of Wonderful Things
Bloglines
http://www.blawglines.com
Site for searching, subscribing and sharing news feeds
Blawgchannel
http://www.blawgchannel.com
Great way to find legal blogs (blawgs)
LessigBlog [currently being guest hosted by Tim Wu]
http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/lessig/blog
PDF for Lawyers
http://www.pdfforlawyers.com/
How to use PDFs in the practice of law
Legal Blogs with XML Feeds
http://radio.weblogs.com/0104634/stories/
2003/02/15/legalSourcesWithXmlFeeds.html
A rather complete list of law-related blogs that provide XML feeds for syndication
Portals and KM
http://billives.typepad.com/portals_and_km/
The Importance Of
http://www.corante.com/importance
Innovation, Creativity, Law
Tech Law Advisor
http://techlawadvisor.com
Payments News
http://www.paymentsnews.com
InternetPolicy.net
http://gipi.typepad.com/internetpolicy/
Weblog of the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI)
Privacy.org
http://www.privacy.org
Technology Review
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/index.asp
CopyFight
www.corante.com/copyfight
IP and Internet issues
Excited Utterances
http://excitedutterances.blogspot.com/
Law firm knowledge management
Greplaw
http://grep.law.harvard.edu/
Internet law developments
LawMeme
http://research.yale.edu/lawmeme
Technology issues
TechLaw Advisor
http://techlawadvisor.blogspot.com/
Ernie the Attorney
http://www.ernietheattorney.net/
Bag and Baggage
http://bgbg.blogspot.com/
Cyberspaces: Words-Not-Deeds
http://www.cyberspaces.org/webzine
Use the comment feature below to suggest additional blogs to add to the list.
posted by Michael McGuire at
10:34 AM
There's Always Coffee
Continuing a new Cyberspace Law Committee tradition, I locate the best coffee shops in the towns where we have meetings, and I force a few people to come with me. Last nigth after Pura Vida, I forced Jackie Scheib, Mike Gordon, and Ben Beard to join me in a late night cup of excellent java at San Francisco Coffee Roasters. True artisanal coffee roasters with a barista capable of creating art with the pour.
posted by Michael McGuire at
9:55 AM
CLC Forum -- The VoIP Revolution and Key Effects on Legal Practice
Have you ever used your computer to make a phone call? No? Have you ever used it to send instant-messages? Well, IM technologies (which typically also include a voice option) are exactly those used in providing Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) service. This morning's panel of Federal and State regulators, ISPs and telcos, generally seems in agreement that low barriers to entry, an intense competitive environment, and the certainty of rapid technological change all should support a hands-off stance for the regulators. Still, some State PSCs have begun general regulatory efforts, and there is nearly universal agreement that VoIP services should help fund "universal service" policies.
Even in a hands-off context (for as long as that lasts), here are some of the issues: conflicts among/between various PSC who DO begin to regulate; how to provide 911 or other emergency services?; should law enforcement interception of VoIP voice-traffic be facilitated by ISPs and other VoIP providers, and how can smaller providers bear the associated costs?
The Cyberspace committee's VoIP initiatives (currently jointly housed under the subcommittees on Connectivity and Internet Law) certainly will continue and evolve. If you'd like to learn more, first login to the Committee's LawHub (free registration required, but available only to Committee members) and then click here. Or, contact any of the following (the co-chairs of the two cyberspace parent committees): Richard Keck, David Satola, Hank Judy, or Tom Laudise.
Even in a hands-off context (for as long as that lasts), here are some of the issues: conflicts among/between various PSC who DO begin to regulate; how to provide 911 or other emergency services?; should law enforcement interception of VoIP voice-traffic be facilitated by ISPs and other VoIP providers, and how can smaller providers bear the associated costs?
The Cyberspace committee's VoIP initiatives (currently jointly housed under the subcommittees on Connectivity and Internet Law) certainly will continue and evolve. If you'd like to learn more, first login to the Committee's LawHub (free registration required, but available only to Committee members) and then click here. Or, contact any of the following (the co-chairs of the two cyberspace parent committees): Richard Keck, David Satola, Hank Judy, or Tom Laudise.
posted by Vince Polley at
8:48 AM
IP Subcommittee Meeting
The IP Subcommittee, chaired by Eric Goldman and John Ottaviani had an early morning meeting. Quite lively despite the hour. Turning first to the subcommittee's open source project, Ottaviani announced the subcommittee has completed a review of over 50 open source licenses. Discussions on what to do with this vast body of knowledge focused on organizing the data for use in other projects, providing a resource for lawyers doing M&A due diligence; and providing a survey of open source license types for companies thinking of using an open source licensing structure.
The subcommittee's e-mail newletter, CIPerati, is now on its fourth issue. Edited by Jonathan M. Eisenberg and Craig S. Rutenberg of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
each newsletter has featured 3-4 really great practical articles. The link above can be used to view the back issues or subscribe if you are not currently getting the newsletter.
New articles are always needed for CIPerati and anyone interested in submitting should contact Eric, John, Jonathan or Craig. CIPerati is a great way to republish one of those articles written for a firm website or newsletter.
The meeting also included a great discussion on the subject of clients' problems with search engines (read Google) and the funny games they play. Words like "Google bombing" and "bridge pages" were tossed around with utter abandon. Apparently, a number of the participants have had a lot of client activity in this area and the subcommittee will be looking at potential projects. Volunteers are always welcome.
The subcommittee's e-mail newletter, CIPerati, is now on its fourth issue. Edited by Jonathan M. Eisenberg and Craig S. Rutenberg of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
each newsletter has featured 3-4 really great practical articles. The link above can be used to view the back issues or subscribe if you are not currently getting the newsletter.
New articles are always needed for CIPerati and anyone interested in submitting should contact Eric, John, Jonathan or Craig. CIPerati is a great way to republish one of those articles written for a firm website or newsletter.
The meeting also included a great discussion on the subject of clients' problems with search engines (read Google) and the funny games they play. Words like "Google bombing" and "bridge pages" were tossed around with utter abandon. Apparently, a number of the participants have had a lot of client activity in this area and the subcommittee will be looking at potential projects. Volunteers are always welcome.
posted by Warren Agin at
8:32 AM
Long Live Pura Vida
The group had a very fun evening last night at Pura Vida for the Annual Cyberspace Law Committee Dinner. Congratulations to Ms. Scheib (we're in Georgia afterall) on her efforts to set up the dinner.
The food was great. My only criticism was that the wine, beer, and sangria was flowing a bit too freely.
Thanks as well to Hank Judy, a partner at the law firm of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart that graciously donated funds to help keep the costs of the dinner as low as possible for the Committee. Thanks Hank, and thanks K&L.
We'll have pictures later, as soon as we find a one hour photo developing place that's open on Sundays in downtown Atlanta.
The food was great. My only criticism was that the wine, beer, and sangria was flowing a bit too freely.
Thanks as well to Hank Judy, a partner at the law firm of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart that graciously donated funds to help keep the costs of the dinner as low as possible for the Committee. Thanks Hank, and thanks K&L.
We'll have pictures later, as soon as we find a one hour photo developing place that's open on Sundays in downtown Atlanta.
posted by Michael McGuire at
7:50 AM
