Lawrence Lessig to keynote NZ Internet conference

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 13 April 2011 11:19

Business IT - Networking

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) has announced that Harvard University Professor of Law, Lawrence Lessig - widely known as vocal proponent of reduced legal restrictions on digital copyright - will deliver the keynote address at its NetHui 2011 conference in July.

Lessig is a founding board member of the alternative copyright licensing body - Creative Commons - and is a board member of the Software Freedom Law Centre. According to NetHui 2011 advisory board member, Judge David Harvey, he is one of the most influential contemporary commentators on law and the Internet, and is a dynamic and inspiring speaker.

"Lessig's seminal work 'Code is Law' has influenced theories and served as a foundation for considerations of Internet governance issues since its publication. Lessig has also been influential in the field of digital copyright and the concept of the commons in an intellectual world," Harvey said.

NetHui organiser Richard Wood, added: "Lessig's focus sits right at the intersect of law and technology. This is an area that strikes at the heart of many of the important issues facing the Internet today, and we are delighted to have him on board."

Delegates may also get a chance to sample Lessig's highly individual style of presentation, dubbed "The Lessig Method" and described as "typified by rapid display of short phrases or pictures".

NetHui is being held at Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre, from 29 June to 1 July. Lessig will deliver his address on the final day. Details www.nethui.org.nz.