Live Webcast on December 9, 2009 (P.S.T.)

This is a webcast of the live San Francisco session.

If you are in legal aid/courts/legal nonprofit you may qualify for a scholarship.

Special Note - New York Transitional credit for this program is only available to New York licensed attorneys practicing law outside the U.S.

Why You Should Attend

In the current economic environment, all companies are looking for ways to cut their IT budgets. "Open source" software, which is available in the form of operating systems, applications, utility code and programming tools, presents an attractive option. However, use of such software can also expose a company to unexpected and unacceptable obligation and risk, depending on the terms of the governing license. Some companies have discovered that their programmers' or suppliers' use of open source material has placed their own intellectual property assets at risk. Parties to commercial transactions, including financings and corporate acquisitions, have discovered that fundamental assumptions about the value proposition of their deal are materially affected by the use of open source software in the acquisition partner's product development. Open source software has also spawned the emergence of entirely new business models, in which it plays a central role. Because of widespread misunderstanding about the nature of open source software development and licensing models, and because of continuous changes in the legal and technical landscape, it is critical for IP, technology and business lawyers to keep abreast of the legal and technical issues presented by the open source paradigm.

This program will address the critical open source issues that IP, technology and business lawyers need to consider in today's economy. The speakers will help you understand the practical and technical realities of open source software, how it affects copyright and patent rights, and how to manage open source issues in the contexts of product development and business transactions. Armed with this information, you will be better able to help your clients make intelligent decisions about the benefits and risks presented by open source software.

What You Will Learn

What open source software is, and why it is so important
How to analyze an open source license and its key provisions
How open source licensing affects patent rights
Business models based on open source software
Best practices for product development and software asset acquisition
Business and ethical implications of open source software

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for computer/technology lawyers, IP lawyers, in-house counsel, outside corporate counsel and other professionals who develop, use, distribute or invest in technology.

Special Bonus to all Registrants

All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of PLI's comprehensive Course Handbook. This softcover, bound volume was written to augment the program and to stand alone as a permanent reference. PLI's Course Handbooks represent the definitive thinking of the nation's finest legal minds, and are often the standard reference in the field.

Please Note: Webcast attendees will receive a downloadable version of the Handbook one business day prior to the program.

PLI Group Discounts

Groups of 4-14 from the same organization, all registering at the same time, for a PLI program scheduled for presentation at the same site, are entitled to receive a group discount. For further discount information, please contact membership@pli.edu or call (800) 260-4PLI.

PLI Can Arrange Group Viewing to Your Firm

Contact the Groupcasts Department via email at groupcasts@pli.edu for more details.