Note to Editors: Members of the press are welcome to attend without charge. To arrange, call Adam Peters at (720) 839-6505 or e-mail adam.peters@colorado.edu.
The challenge of regulating high-technology industries in the fast-paced Internet world will be the focus of discussion at the University of Colorado School of Law symposium titled "Models of Regulation for the New Economy," to be held Feb. 2-3 at the University Memorial Center on the Boulder campus.
The symposium is co-sponsored by the law school's Journal on Telecommunications and High Technology Law and the Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program, which was established three years ago to examine cutting-edge issues at the intersection of telecommunications technology, business and policy.
Critics argue that legal proceedings move too slowly to regulate on "Internet time." But recent events such as the federal government's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, the Patent and Trademark Office's struggle to protect business methods and the passage of the Telecom Act, which requires a dual jurisdiction of federal and state agencies, has changed the perception of the Internet as a regulatory-free zone.
"The regulation of high-tech industries is facing a crucial set of decisions in the upcoming years that will establish the governing framework for years to come," said Phil Weiser, Silicon Flatirons' executive director, who will moderate the opening panel of the discussion.
Seating is limited, so attendees should register in advance at . A registration fee is required.Ìý
The conference will begin with an overview panel that will evaluate the basic themes that drive the discussion as to which models of regulation best suit the new economy. Four separate panels will discuss the issues of agency-based approaches; federalism, such as the dual jurisdictional strategy employed by the Telecom Act; the common law approaches; and self-regulation as implemented through standard setting or industry watchdog groups.
A keynote speech by Progress and Freedom Foundation President Raymond Gifford will be given on Feb. 2. On Feb. 3, following an introduction by CU President Elizabeth Hoffman, Level 3 Communications CEO Jim Crowe will address the symposium.
"We are delighted to once again host some of the leading thinkers in the area to discuss how government, or other institutions, should regulate high-technology markets," said Weiser.
The panelists come from a variety of different backgrounds in government, academia and industry, including Peter Tenhula, co-director of the FCC's Spectrum Policy Task Force; Stephen Williams, federal appeals court judge in Washington, D.C.; Susan Fox, vice president for Governmental Relations for the Walt Disney Co.; Doug Melamed, partner at Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering and former head of the U.S. Justice Department's Antitrust Division; and Mark Lemley, professor of law at the University of California at Berkeley and director of the school's Center for Law and Technology.
A reception will immediately follow the proceedings on Sunday and Crowe's speech will occur during the closing lunch banquet.Ìý
For more information contact Adam Peters at (720) 839-6505 or e-mail him at adam.peters@colorado.edu.