ITechLaw eNews, September 2009

Sandra A. Jeskie, Editor in Chief

ITechLaw Annual European Conference: Brussels, Belgium
5-6 November 2009

ITechLaw invites you to join the world's top technology lawyers and policymakers for two days of information sharing and unparalleled networking at the 2009 European Conference. This two-track event will tackle critical issues facing lawyers and their clients including:

● The Impact of the Global Economy on Technology Transactions
● Green Standards in ICT Procurement
● Healthcare IT
● Cloud Computing
● Social Networking
● And much more!

There will be a Welcome Reception on Wednesday, 4 November and a formal Gala Dinner on Thursday, 5 November, followed by a Closing Reception following the conference sessions on Friday, 6 November.

► Visit the Brussels conference website to get more information and register.

The eNews Sampler: Brief Monthly Updates

In addition to ITechLaw's quarterly online law journal for members, the eBulletin (requires log in), ITechLaw often provides 1-2 short articles in the eNews each month. eNews articles not only cover brief legal updates but also give members an opportunity to share their unique professional experiences as they relate to ITechLaw.

ITechLaw encourages members to contribute to its publications. To submit your articles, please contact us. Submissions are subject to editorial discretion. Articles not used in eNews may be used in the eBulletin and vice versa.

On August 31, 2009 the German Federal Government filed an amicus curiae brief with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking denial of the approval of the Google Book Settlement, or at least exemption of German authors and publishers from the class. In its brief, the Government argues that the Settlement would violate the revised Berne Convention and the World Copyright Treaty, because the use of copyrighted works would require prior consent by the copyright owner. Furthermore, the Government complains that only associations that represent exclusively American authors and publishers participated in the action as plaintiffs, while the interests of German authors and publishers were not represented in the settlement negotiations.

ITechLaw Member Spotlight

► ITechLaw President, Dr. Ursula Widmer, spoke in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 12th at the WIPO 10 Year UDRP Conference. She spoke on the panel "Identity and Dispute Resolution on the Internet – Looking Ahead" about copyright and trademark infringements and dispute resolution for social networks.

(Click here to submit your member news.)

ITechLaw Welcomes Its Newest Members!

Dear ITechLaw Members and Colleagues,

By now many of you have had the opportunity to visit our new website and social network, ITechLaw Connect, launched on July 30, 2009. The new website includes many improvements, including an attractive and easy to use design, new content and the ability to connect with your fellow members worldwide.

(Above: Screen Capture of New Website)

By signing into the Member Center, you will be able to create a profile reflecting your experience, practice areas and more. ITechLaw Connect then matches you with other members, making networking easier than ever before. Not only can you communicate directly with members, but you can also search for lawyers based on expertise, background or location. You can also find members with similar interests and conference attendance to connect locally at ITechLaw events or discuss presentations.

Once you have signed on to ITechLaw Connect, you can join specialized committee groups such as the Substantive Law Committees or ITechLaw Women’s International Network. Committee groups provide you with interactive forums, document sharing and meeting announcements, keeping you up-to-date on the latest developments in a wide variety of subjects.

(Above: Networking Sample from ITechLaw Connect)

I thank you for your continued membership in ITechLaw and welcome your feedback on our new website. I invite you to email me or Member Services with your thoughts or if you have any questions about how to sign up with ITechLaw Connect.

Our Web Task Force is currently working on Phase II of our website project, which is focused on enhancing the content available on our website. If you are interested in becoming more active in ITechLaw and have ideas on how to further develop the website and its content, please contact me.

I look forward to seeing you on ITechLaw Connect.

With my best regards,

Ursula Widmer
ITechLaw President
president@itechlaw.org;
Ursula.widmer@widmerpartners-lawyers.ch

The micro-blogging site Twitter has taken the world by storm. Its use has been varied, from Iranian citizens updating the world on protests after the Iranian presidential election to fellow ITechLaw members tweeting about ITechLaw's Annual Meeting and World Conference held in Seattle in May, 2009.

Many of our members are active on Twitter and tweet about the latest in technology law, giving personal and professional updates. Our members also actively use Linkedin. If you are using LinkedIn, remember to join the ITechLaw group.

I have enjoyed following many of you already and would like to extend a personal invitation to connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn. I can be found on Twitter here, or search for "Sandra Jeskie" on LinkedIn.

If you have any questions about connecting with other members, please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to seeing you online.

Sincerely,

Sandra A. Jeskie
ITechLaw Vice President
eNews Editor in Chief

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