New Webinar: What IT People Need To Know About The Law

from the putting-on-that-legal-hat dept

A few weeks ago, we had a post about why IT people need to be knowledgeable about the law, rather than just about technology. It was based on an excellent article by Dave Navetta on The Legal Defensibility Era (pdf). For years, IT folks have recognized that they often wear two hats, switching between a technology one and a business one, as they often have to explain or justify the business tradeoffs of the IT decisions they make. But these days, they also really need to add a legal hat.

Given the immense interest we received in this particular topic, we’ve decided that it will be the topic of our next webinar in our IT Innovation series: What IT needs to know about the law to be held next Wednesday, May 26th at 9am PT/noon ET. We’re thrilled that Dave Navetta, who wrote the article that sparked the original discussion, will be participating and discussing this “era of legal defensibility” that IT people need to understand. Dave has built a career around bridging that gap between IT folks and legal folks, and is obviously perfect to be part of this discussion. With him will be Larry Downes, most recently the author of The Laws of Disruption, which is all about how the legal realm is hugely important to understanding business and technology in the world today, and how anyone looking to succeed in the internet age needs to understand some of these key legal principles. Larry’s a well-known writer, speaker, pundit and consultant on this important intersection of the law and the technology world, and between David and Larry, the discussion should be quite a lot of fun. Once again, I’ll be moderating.

I’m really excited about this particular topic and the two speakers. We’ve been preparing for the webinar over the past few days, and there are a ton of interesting topics to discuss, concerning how the law is impacting security, privacy and the wider IT world. Depending on timing, we may dip into some other areas, including intellectual property law, Section 230 and the like. Given the discussions we regularly have on this site, and how important legal issues have become in the IT world over the past few years, this is going to be a can’t miss discussion, so sign up now. As with previous webinars, the discussion is designed to be interactive, and we can take questions from the audience via the web interface during the event, so please come ready with questions.

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Comments on “New Webinar: What IT People Need To Know About The Law”

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29 Comments
Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

just to add this: i wonder why intel would want to sponsor a website whos owner calls them out as trademark abusers. it would seem fairly stupid to pay someone who continues to poke your company with a sharp stick. i can only figure it is a big company that hasnt figured out is may be getting taken advantage of.

angry dude says:

Re: Re: Re:3 Re:

“But perhaps there’s a better way than a patent to monetize whatever it is you created. Is there any info on this creation you’d feel safe providing?”

Trade secrets, my dear.. under the present anti-patent and anti-inventor regime

But trade secrets are well… secrets as opposed to open patent disclosures

You (anti-patent folks including the Supremes) asked for it – you got it

No more patent apps from my angriness

Mike Masnick (profile) says:

Re: Re:

Mike any possibility that there will be a recording or other record of the webinar? I want to attend this one, and wanted to attend the previous one, but I have classes during the day that I can’t skip.

Yes, we will post the webinars to listen to after they’re done. We should have an announcement about the last one shortly…

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

you are signing up for something scarce, the honor of being able to ask questions in a webinar! imagine how rare of an opportunity that is. later, you will be solicited to buy the limited edition hoodie and bound leather edition of the moderators notes and pictures of server that hosted the event, signed by mike and all of his student employees.

vilain (profile) says:

Legalities won't help if the boss is a crook

I see posts on Slashdot from time to time from IT people asking, rather foolishly, what to do when they’re told to do something unethical or out-and-out illegal by their boss. Writing a letter outlining the reasons why “this wouldn’t be a good idea” to the boss and the boss’ boss, cc’ing the CEO, will most likely get you fired for refusing to play along. Quitting while dragging your feet is another option. Reporting the as-yet-performed illegal activity to Wikileaks, Interpol, the FBI, Software Business Alliance, etc. will get you branded as unemployable.

How does this relate to topics to be discussed at this forum?

Mike Masnick (profile) says:

Re: Legalities won't help if the boss is a crook

Writing a letter outlining the reasons why “this wouldn’t be a good idea” to the boss and the boss’ boss, cc’ing the CEO, will most likely get you fired for refusing to play along.

If you’re working for a company where your boss, boss’s boss and CEO are all telling you to do something illegal… perhaps it’s time to find a better place to work?

angry dude says:

Re: Re: Legalities won't help if the boss is a crook

“…perhaps it’s time to find a better place to work?”

Great advice to IT folks from Mikey

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find comparable position in IT industry nowadays ?

Apparently not

Read some insane job descriptions listing 50 different technologies and multiple job roles paying what used to be a starting IT salary back in late 90s

IT is dead as a profession in US

Amen

Rachel Levy (user link) says:

WebinarListings

Hi,

As someone who hosts webinars, I thought you’d like to know about my new website that launched in March. WebinarListings is a central portal for upcoming webinars (or really, anything that is virtual and scheduled) in any area of interest, around the world. You can list your webinars on our site for free, or upgrade to a Featured Listing which includes additional promotion (email, RSS, Twitter, Facebook, etc.). It’s a great way to find new participants for your webinars.

We are currently running a promotion for new hosts to upgrade to Featured at no charge, so I’d like to invite you to add your webinars to the calendar this week! http://www.webinarlistings.com/launch-promotion-2

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts.

-Rachel Levy- (@WebinarListings)

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