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

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

Tue, May 18th 2010 12:34pm — Mike Masnick

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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Filed Under: it, legal defensibility, privacy, security

29 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 12:38pm

the next webinar will be "how to jump in front of a movement and act like you are leading it". featured speakers will include the masnick and chris anderson, masters in the field.
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 1:00pm
  
  Re:
  Your posts completely crack me up. :)
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  - Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 2:37pm
    
    Re: Re:
    i am just sitting here trying to figure out what the heck oracle and intel get out of this stuff, its clear that mikey is just flailing about looking for some sort of buzz to stir up.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 3:48pm
      
      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.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 5:32pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      And yet you wonder why no on takes your views seriously.
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      - Anonymous Coward, 19 May 2010 @ 3:28pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        mostly because there is someone posting after me trying to run the discussion off the rails. how does that work mike?
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Dark Helmet (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 12:55pm

Interesting
I assume that you don't actually NEED to be an IT engineer to be involved? As a consultant, I essentially work in sales, but I'm still intrigued by the topic, particularly since I spend half my day talking to IT admins....
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angry dude, 18 May 2010 @ 1:10pm

Many IT folks need to know unemployment compensation laws in their particular state... under current economic conditions which are unlikely to improve

Mikey is just a corporate shill
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- :Lobo Santo (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 1:11pm
  
  Re:
  Are you sure you don't mean corporate shale?
  
  **I trolled with angry dude**
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- Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 1:38pm
  
  Re:
  So AD, have you managed to monetize your imaginary patent in the current economic conditions yet?
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  - Dark Helmet (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 1:41pm
    
    Re: Re:
    "So AD, have you managed to monetize your imaginary patent in the current economic conditions yet?"
    
    That's why he's so angry. His patent was for "A system for monetizing the ever growing and never falling housing market".
    
    Oops!
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    - angry dude, 18 May 2010 @ 1:49pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I wouldn't be cubical IT slave for one more minute had I managed to monetize my patent...
      
      I'd take first flight to Rio and fax my resignation letter from there...
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      - Dark Helmet (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 1:52pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        Hell, no one can blame you for that, Your Angriness. I dream of some day making enough money with my writing to leave my own cubicle behind.
        
        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?
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        angry dude, 19 May 2010 @ 5:33am
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: 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
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Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 2:46pm

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.
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- Mike Masnick (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 2:58pm
  
  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...
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  - Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 3:10pm
    
    Re: Re:
    What is the point of "signing up" then?
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    - Mike Masnick (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 3:29pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      What is the point of "signing up" then?
      
      If you want to participate by listening live and asking questions.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 18 May 2010 @ 3:43pm
      
      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.
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      - jjmsan (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 10:32pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re:
        You don't ask questions? That explains a lot.
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    - Hoeppner, 18 May 2010 @ 6:15pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      First access isn't a big enough deal?
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vilain (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 5:02pm

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?
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- Mike Masnick (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 5:11pm
  
  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?
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  - angry dude, 19 May 2010 @ 5:41am
    
    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
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- jjmsan (profile), 18 May 2010 @ 10:34pm
  
  Re: Legalities won't help if the boss is a crook
  Most people prefer to be unemployed as opposed to getting sent to jail. My boss told me too is not much of a legal defense.
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Rachel Levy, 3 Jun 2010 @ 5:24pm

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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