The Conference on Innovation and Communications Law will be held May 24-25, 2012, and is a cooperative effort of the University of Turku Faculty of Law, Drake University Law School, the University of Louisville School of Law, Michigan State University College of Law, Åbo Akademi University and the IPR University Center. im
How are innovation and expression governed internationally, regionally and domestically? New multi-party agreements such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) have been concluded. The EU and the US include extensive intellectual property chapters in their bilateral agreements with developing countries. Patent laws are also under reform in Europe and the USA. At the same time, criminal enforcement of intellectual property rights proliferates and the threat of damages may assume the role of a deterrent. Furthermore, the changing political and societal role of social media raises questions related to privacy and more generally the regulation of internet-based expression and communication. The focus of the conference is on such recent and on-going changes.
