Online Social Networking: Legal Risks for Businesses
Identifying and Minimizing Liabilities in Company and Employee Misuse
CD/DVD of a 90-minute CLE teleconference with Q&A
Conducted on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Now available on CD/DVD
Description
Online social network sites, such as Facebook®, MySpace®, LinkedIn® and SecondLife® and online forums such as listservs, chat rooms and blogs, all provide an outlet for a dynamic, unfettered exchange of ideas among the individual and businesses.
These online forums also provide opportunities for employees to leak a business' proprietary information — intentionally or inadvertently. On the flip side, more employers tap into these services to learn about job applicants and current employees — and use that information in hiring and retention.
Social network sites and Internet forums are an exciting new tool for businesses — but also involve serious legal implications when businesses utilize them and when employees participate in them.
Outline
- Introduction
- Employment issues
- Privacy concerns
- Use of social networking sites for pre-employment screening
- Harassment issues
- Disparagement issues
- Employee blogs
- Intellectual property concerns
- Infringement concerns
- Risks to trade secrets
- Defamation concerns
- Ownership
- Digital Millenium Copyright Act — potential safe harbors
- Best practices
- Setting policies
- Monitoring
- Revision of organization bylaws to reflect position and possible action for
- conduct related to social networking sites, listservs, bulletin boards, etc.
- Disclaimers and user agreements
- Legal/privacy considerations
Benefits
The panel reviewed these and other key questions:
- How can online social networking and Internet forums pose a threat to a business' IP rights — and how can companies manage that risk?
- How can employers legally take advantage of Internet sites to learn more about applicants and current employees?
- What are the best practices for companies in creating and implementing policies regarding their own and their employees' use of social networking sites and Internet forums?
Faculty
Peter N. Townshend,
Partner
McDermott Will & Emery, San Diego
He is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department and has extensive experience representing emerging growth technology companies and venture capital investors in structuring transactions. He handles privacy and other issues relating to clients' social networks.
Marcia N. Jackson,
Counsel
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Dallas
Her practice includes employment and labor law, counseling, training and internal investigations. She assists clients in avoiding litigation through regular training, policy updates and implementation. She also handles FLSA wage and hour collective actions and class action discrimination lawsuits filed under Title VII.
Peter E. Perkowski,
Partner
Winston & Strawn, Los Angeles
He focuses his practice in commercial and business litigation, accounting malpractice, entertainment, securities, and intellectual property litigation. He handles complex and class action litigation. His significant cases range from defending an information technology company against claims of unfair business practices to defending an aerospace company against claims of environmental contamination.
Ordering
Teleconference on CD
Purchase a CD of the full event proceedings, including Q&A and PDF files of all handouts (available 10 days after the seminar).
For CLE only, this program is pre-approved for self-study credit in AK, AZ, CA, MO, MT, VT, WV.
Self-study CLE credits are also available in CT*, CO, GA, ID, KY, LA, ME, NV, ND, NY*, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY.
Please call us if you will be self-reporting in one of these states. *For CT and NY, Strafford needs to process the CLE — see below to purchase this option
Self-study CPE is not offered on CD purchases.
CD $297.00 plus $9.45 S&H
CLE Processing on CD/DVD (NY and CT Only)
CLE processing for listening to the CD/DVD is available for an additional $65 per person per state in NY and CT.
CLE on CD Processing $65.00
CLE Credit
Strafford seminars qualify for CLE credits in every state that accredits teleconferences. They offer you a high quality, cost effective, and convenient CLE option, with no lost travel time or expenses.
Customer Reviews
I found the content very useful and was impressed by the high quality of each speaker's ability to articulate his presentation.
Andrew Lillie
Hogan & Hartson
All the speakers seemed extremely knowledgeable on the subject matter. Overall a very good seminar.
Stephan R. Silen
American AgCredit
The teleconference was efficient with a well-focused agenda. The speakers really seem to know the material and communicated it clearly.
Owen Hughes
Pfizer
I liked the different speaker perspectives.
Gina Fama
Standard Chartered Bank
I liked the combined depth of information and speed of presentation. Well done!
Andre Dalbec
SAANYS