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Virtual Law Conference features world-class speakers knowledgeable of the emerging virtual worlds industry and the surrounding legal issues. The schedule runs concurrent with Virtual Worlds 2008 and the events take place side-by-side. Attendees from either event will have the option to cross-attend the other event.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
| 7:30 am 9:30 am |
Registration and Networking |
| 9:30 - 10:30 am |
Welcome and Virtual Worlds 2008
Main Keynote
- Christopher V. Sherman, Executive Director, Virtual Worlds 2008
Keynote
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Charles Scothon,
General Manager & SVP, Girls Mattel Brands Mattel, Inc.
- Rosie O’Neill,
Senior Brand Manager, Barbie Tech Mattel, Inc.
|
| 10:30 - 11:00 am |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 11:00 - 12:00 pm |
Virtual Law Conference
introduction from the
Co-Chairs
Virtual Law Keynote:
The Top Ten Things a Brand Should Know about Virtual Worlds
Brand owners looking to enter the virtual world space face a number of issues that need to be considered to both fully promote and protect their brands. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion of these issues as identified by the counsel for a Fortune 500 Company that is leading the charge into the virtual world.
Steve Mortinger,
VP & Associate General Counsel
Systems and Technology Group
IBM
|
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm |
Lunch |
| 1:00 - 2:00 pm |
Intellectual Property
Enforcement
Trademark and copyright issues abound in virtual worlds. Join us for a discussion on enforcement of IP rights in the virtual world. What does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act mean for virtual world users and providers? When is litigation necessary? Can infringers become a brand's allies? These questions are arising in boardrooms of companies with virtual world presences every day. This focused discussion will prepare you to address them.
William S. Coats, Partner, White & Case LLP
John W. Crittenden, Partner, Cooley
Godward Kronish LLP
Sean Kane, Attorney, Drakeford & Kane LLC
Benjamin Duranske, Intellectual Property
Attorney, Author Virtual Law
|
| 2:00 - 2:30 pm |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 2:30 - 3:30 pm |
Legal Issues in Virtual Currency
The existence of virtual currency (the "money" used in virtual worlds) raises legal issues in areas as diverse as tax law, securities and banking law, criminal law, and more. Join us for a discussion of different approaches providers have taken to "Real Money Trade" (RMT), "Real Cash Economies" (RCE), and the possible legal implications of those approaches.
Sean Kane, Attorney, Drakeford & Kane LLC
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| 3:30 - 4:00 pm |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 4:00 - 5:00 pm |
Legal Issues in Virtual Property
Virtual property has become a huge industry - some estimates put the total value over $2 billion - but what, exactly are we talking about? Occupying an emerging area somewhere between tangible property and intellectual property, virtual property is slowly gaining recognition in both academic literature and litigation. Is the distinction meaningful? Will courts apply traditional property law? Is legislation a possibility? Join us to explore these critical questions.
Bryan Camp, Professor of Law , Texas Tech
University School of Law
Sean Kane, Attorney, Drakeford & Kane LLC
Neal
Black, General Counsel, Live Gamer
Dan Miller, Senior Economist, Joint Economic
Committee, U.S. Congress
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| 5:00 - 6:00 pm |
Evening Reception
View exciting virtual worlds demos
and have a drink. |
|
| Friday, April 4, 2008 |
| 7:30 am 9:00 am |
Registration and Networking |
| 9:00 - 10:30 am |
Welcome and Virtual Worlds 2008
Main Keynote
- Christopher V. Sherman, Executive Director, Virtual Worlds Conference
Keynote
-
Jeffrey B. Yapp,
Executive VP, MTV Networks Music And Logo Enterprise Group
-
Kyra E. Reppen, Senior Vice
President & General Manager, Neopets
|
| 10:30 - 11:00 am |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 11:00 - 12:00 pm |
Virtual Law for Non-Lawyers
If you or your company is involved in virtual worlds, you will inevitably find yourself confronted with legal questions. This fast-paced presentation aimed at non-lawyers and attorneys new to this emerging field will help you arm yourself with a basic understanding of these emerging legal issues.
Benjamin Duranske, Intellectual Property
Attorney, Author Virtual Law
|
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm |
Lunch |
| 1:00 - 2:00 pm |
License Agreements: Best Practices, Avoiding Pitfalls
End User License Agreements (EULAs) and Terms of Service (TOS) agreements govern every virtual world, and they are under fire. Some have argued that these documents are poorly suited to governing the relationship between users, some have argued they are undermined by inconsistent enforcement, and, as one case demonstrated, they are potentially subject to attack as unconscionable. Join us to discuss best practices and potential pitfalls related to these controversial agreements.
Erin Hoffman, GoPets
J. Michael Monahan, II, Pattishall,
McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP
Sean Kane, Attorney, Drakeford & Kane LLC
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| 2:00 - 2:30 pm |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 2:30 - 3:30 pm |
Ethical Concerns for Attorneys and Executives in Virtual Worlds
Are you involved in virtual worlds? Are you thinking about
establishing a virtual world presence? If so, you'll want to join us
for this discussion of the ethical concerns that these spaces raise
for lawyers and executives. We'll discuss potential problems with
employer-employee relationships, attorney-client communication, the
unauthorized practice of law, and the increased risk of conflicts of
interest.
Dave Elchoness, Founder and CEO,
VRWorkplace
Alexis N. Mueller, Associate, Cowan,
DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP
Justin Brookman, Chief of the Internet
Bureau, New York Attorney General
Benjamin Duranske, Intellectual Property
Attorney, Author Virtual Law (moderator)
|
| 3:30 - 4:00 pm |
Networking Break and Demos |
| 4:00 - 5:00 pm |
Litigating a Virtual Law
Suit
Join attorneys who are litigating the first lawsuits in this emerging field for a discussion of the history of the first groundbreaking cases, pointers on making the complexities of virtual worlds accessible to judges and juries, and thoughts on the future of litigation regarding virtual world issues.
Francis ("Frank") X. Taney, Jr., Shareholder,
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Jason Archinaco, Partner,
Commercial Litigation Dept., White and Williams LLP
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