Adapting and Innovating: The Development of IT Law
In this talk Rachel Burnett will discuss how law has responded to IT’s continuing innovation and societal transformation, to create a distinct body of IT law (with lots of examples and illustrations).
Significant IT landmarks include the introduction from the early 1950s of computers for commercial use; the development of the software industry; the PC; the internet and the world wide web; and most recently the various channels of social media.
Over this time technology has revolutionised the collection, collation, dissemination and use of information. Laws on data protection and privacy are evolving. There is increased focus on ownership, protection and exploitation of intangible proprietary assets and intellectual property rights, mainly through copyright, patent and confidentiality.
And looking forward, what are the challenges for IT law?
The talk will be followed by discussion.
About the speaker
Rachel is a past Chair of the Computer Conservation Society, and former President of the British Computer Society. She is Head of the IT/IP law team at Paris Smith, Solicitors, and works with the Open University.
Background
Rachel is the author of several books on IT law, and wrote a column on legal matters for six years in the BCS magazine for the IT professional - the "IT Now" publication, as well as writing for other publications. Before her legal career Rachel was an IT professional. She is a graduate of the University of Exeter and holds an honorary Doctorate of Technology from Southampton Solent University.