Does your company have to contend with the maze of laws dealing with user privacy and publishing user content? Want to do the right thing by the online community that gives your business value, and still fulfill your legal obligations?

On May 11, 2009, EFF will reprise its successful one-day session for Internet companies that handle issues arising from users and user-generated content. From DMCA to CDA to ECPA, the law surrounding Internet content can be confusing, especially for the folks who have to decide on the fly whether to let something stay up or take it down, or whether to give their customer's name to the FBI agent on the phone. We will also have additional sessions on Open Source licensing and employment law for start-ups and small Internet companies. The event is co-sponsored by the Golden Gate University School of Law Intellectual Property Law Center.

Feedback from previous Bootcamp attendees:

"Running an online community can be tricky business these days for many reasons, not least of which are the legal issues that can arise when you're hosting content supplied by hundreds, thousand or even millions of people. However, there are some laws in place to protect both the service provider and even the content providers. [...] As a community manager wanting to look out for the best interests of our users while covering our collective butt in the process it was a useful and enlightening day." — Satisfaction

"EFF bootcamp wrapped up early. Time to scheme more legally robust architectures." — Chris Anderson (via Twitter)

What

One-Day bootcamp. EFF's staff attorneys, plus other guests, give you the basics on the key topics. You'll leave better able to protect your customers, your company, and your job.

Topic areas

• Defamation, harassment, and other accusations of bad behavior.
• Fair use, free culture, and the right to remix.
• Copyright take-downs and put-backs.
• How to respond to cops, crooks, and courts who want your customers' communications and other private information.
• Anonymous speakers.
• Porn, predators, and the pressure to police.
• Open Source issues.
• Employment basics for start-ups.

Who should attend

People who do front-line or mid-level work for companies and projects that rely on user-generated content and communications as well as the lawyers who advise them. This includes compliance, customer service and community management workers, and both inside and outside counsel.

Why

A number of cutting-edge companies have found themselves out of step with their communities or the law, sometimes before — and sometimes after — embarrassing incidents. We'd like to give the people who make these important decisions, and the attorneys who advise them, the tools they need to do the right thing by their companies and their customers. Let EFF teach you what we’ve learned on the front lines of tech news.

Where and How Much?

Golden Gate University School of Law

536 Mission Street

San Francisco CA, 94105-2968

$300 for a full-day of training — Register now!

For lawyers: We have applied for MCLE accreditation.

Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of Google, we can now offer scholarships to individuals who wish to attend the EFF Bootcamp. If you would like to attend, but cannot afford the fee, send us a short note at bootcamp@eff.org, saying why a scholarship is appropriate for you.

Bootcamp Schedule

Previous Bootcamps

EFF last held a Bootcamp in October 2007.