From: polekat@tic.com (Ed Cavazos)
Subject: EFF-Austin Sysop Workshop Call for Questions
Originator: riddle@aahsa.tic.com
X-Submissions: eff-austin@tic.com
Organization: none
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 01:15:06 GMT

As you know, the EFF-Austin Sysop Workshop is going to take place 
next weekend (Sunday the 31st of January).  I hope each of you can 
make it.  
 
 
So many people seems to be confused about the law in this area, 
that I think the panel should have thier hands full answering 
questions. Nonetheless, it would be very helpful if people would 
send in some questions in advance for the panel to address in the 
event that the audience gets shy.  You can address them to me.  
Any questions relating to being a BBS sysop or user will be 
appreciated.
 
In case you missed it, here is the newest electronic press release 
for the workshop:
 
------------------
                    EFF-Austin Sysop Liability Workshop
 
                             Sunday, January 31st
                                Marriott Hotel
                      (701 East 11th Street -- downtown)
                              10:30 am - 4:00 pm
 
                     Sponsored by George, Donaldson & Ford
 
 
On Sunday, January 31st, EFF-Austin will host the "EFF-Austin Sysop Liability
Workshop" at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Austin. This event will bring some
of cyberspace's most prestigious attorneys together to discuss the rapidly
evolving legal issues involved in running and using computer bulletin boards.
The law firm of George, Donaldson & Ford, which is representing Steve Jackson
in his suit against the US government for their seizure of the "Illuminati"
BBS in 1990, is sponsoring the event.
 
Admission is free and open to the public, although seating may be limited to
the first 200 individuals arriving.  The Workshop is scheduled for 10:30-4:00
p.m., with a lunch break between 12:00 and 1:00.
 
 
                                 PANEL MEMBERS
 
  Scheduled participants include:
 
--  Lance Rose, author of SYSLAW and columnist for BOARDWATCH Magazine. Mr.
    Rose is a noted computer lawyer who has taken a leadership position in
    the area of sysop liability and the legal implications involved in
    running and using computer bulletin boards.  He currently has a law
    practice in New York City.
 
--  Mike Godwin, General Counsel for EFF-National. Mr. Godwin has authored
    scores of articles on civil liberties in cyberspace and has been an avid
    participant in the evolution of these issues through his active role as a
    speaker and advocate. He currently spends his time on the front lines in
    the struggle to establish sysop rights as head of EFF's legal services.
 
--  Peter Kennedy, Associate, George, Donaldson & Ford. Mr. Kennedy is
    handling the litigation in Steve Jackson's current civil suit against the
    Secret Service for the seizure of the "Illuminati" BBS.  His work involves
    issues of E-mail privacy under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act,
    and BBS First Amendment issues under the Privacy Protection Act.
 
--  Mikki Barry, Intercon. Inc.,  As an attorney with Intercon, Ms. Barry
    deals daily with the the legal issues surrounding system administration
    and the legal ramifications of computer networks and bulletin boards.
    Intercon is a software publisher specializing in products which facilitate
    Internet access for PC and Macintosh users.
 
--  Stephen Ryan, Senior Counsel, Yuen & Associates. Mr. Ryan is well known in
    Cyberspace for his continuous invovlment in educating and representing the
    "computer underground."  Among other things, he will contribute his
    specialized knowledge of Texas Computer Crime and related statutes to the
    workshop.
 
 
                                    FORMAT
 
The day's activities will include a "Panel Discussion" of the theoretical
legal issues facing sysops, and a "Workshop Session," where local sysops and
users can get answers to many of the tough, "real-world" questions about
running or using a BBS.
 
The discussion will be moderated by Edward Cavazos, who is in his final year
as a student at the University of Texas School of Law.  Ed is a long-time
Austin sysop and the Vice President of EFF-Austin.  His article "Computer
Bulletin Board Systems and the Right to Reply: Redefining Defamation Liability
for a New Technology" was published in Volume 12 of the Review of Litigation.
 
Ed is also in charge of organizing the event. Address any inquiries to him at
 
              E-mail....polekat@tic.com [or] 1@5285 (WWIVnet)
              BBS.......The Bamboo Gardens (512-385-2941)
              Voice.....512-385-2789  
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Newsgroups: austin.eff