Canute and the Waves - Some implications for the Rule of Law

Iain G. Mitchell QC: 
Chair of the Scottish Society for Computers and Law 
will give a Guest Lecture:

Canute and the Waves - Some implications for the Rule of Law

Abstract: Information wants to be free because it has become so cheap to distribute, copy, and recombine, and yet it wants to be expensive because it can be immeasurably valuable to its owner. That tension has been there throughout history, but has become even more pronounced with the increased connectivity which comes with the Internet.

This talk looks at the ways in which this information tension has shaped and is continuing to shape our society, and how seemingly abstract concerns over concepts such as Intellectual Property and privacy rights have profound things to say about the changing nature of business models, the digital economy, the rule of law and society itself.

In particular, it questions some of the received wisdom surrounding protection of Intellectual Property and calls into question the role of lawyers and legislators in the shaping of the digital future.

17:10 Monday 26 September
Informatics Forum, G.07
10 Crichton Street
EH8 9AB

This is a public lecture – all are welcome.