WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2013 — Protecting intellectual property rights on design and technological innovations, cybersecurity best practices, and new developments on Internet governance are chief among technology issues that will be explored at the 2013 American Bar Association Annual Meeting Aug. 8-13 in San Francisco.

High-profile speakers at the meeting include former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (Aug. 12, afternoon) and Attorney General Eric Holder (Aug. 12, 10 a.m.). Bestselling authors Marcia Clark, Sheldon Siegel, David O. Stewart and Talmage Boston will discuss law as a platform for writing (Aug. 10, 9 a.m., Moscone Center West).

Also, several experts, including Global Cyber Risk CEO and Forbes contributor Jody Westby and Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, a former federal prosecutor and senior congressional adviser, will discuss global security threats and how to combat them.

In addition to the more than 1,400 events at this premier gathering of legal professionals, the ABA House of Delegates — the association’s policymaking body — will meet at 9 a.m. on Aug. 12-13 at the Moscone Center West in the third-floor ballroom. For details on the proposals for debate and vote during the two-day session, click here.

Online registration for news reporters is easier than ever. Credential guidelines are at http://www.abanow.org/reporter-resources/media-credentials/.

Business and technology programs include:

Thursday, Aug. 8

“The War of the Roses: Apple v. Samsung — Implications for Innovation and Intellectual Property Law” — A panel of intellectual property experts will discuss enforcement efforts and tips for strengthening and protecting intellectual property without coming off as an IP bully. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3016, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

Friday, Aug. 9

“Internet Governance: What It Is, Where It’s Going” — Panelists will discuss the current state of Internet governance, including the various stakeholders within the international community and the differences of opinion that have consistently arisen and policy positions the ABA has taken with respect to the direction and tenor of international debates on this topic. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 3008, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

“To Tweet or Not to Tweet: What Boards of Directors and Those Who Advise Them Need to Know About Corporate Uses of Social Media and Avoiding Potential Minefields” — The Internet and social media enable business to be conducted at the “speed of light,” but legal advisers need to ensure that it doesn’t occur faster than the “speed of thought.” This program will explore the corporate use of social media and its strategic opportunities and potential risks. 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Room of the Dons, Lobby Level, InterContinental Mark Hopkins

“What’s in a Name? Rights of Publicity and Trademarks in Social Media and the Tool of Valuation” — Discussion will focus on the main elements of trademark and publicity rights when assessing their value, how the use of social media can affect the value of these rights, and recent case law where trademarks and rights of publicity were used in social media. 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Nob Hill, 4^th Floor, InterContinental San Francisco

“Ethical and Practical Challenges of Social Media” — Facebook Policy Manager Katie Harbath is among panelists who will discuss the effect of social media on lawyers, judges, jurors and the public perception of courts. Additionally, lawyers and judges will discuss the ethical challenges of using social media and explore ways to use it effectively to represent clients, win re-election or retention, and ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice. 1 – 3 p.m., Golden Gate Hall C1, B2 Level, Marriott Marquis San Francisco

“Cybersecurity: Resources for Attorneys, Law Firms and Business Professionals” — According to the recent Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, law firms and government departments are prime targets because of their vulnerability and the valuable client information they safeguard. To help address the problem, the ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force will discuss its newly released publication, the ABA Cybersecurity Handbook — A Resource for Attorneys, Law Firms Business Professionals. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3001, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Design in the Mobile Device Space: The Growth of Enforcement and Current Avenues of Protection” — Intellectual property law experts will examine rights relating to the design of apps, operating systems and mobile devices, using as a springboard for discussion the cases of Apple v. Samsung, Oracle v. Google and EA v. Zynga. 4 – 5 p.m., Nob Hill, 4^th Floor, InterContinental San Francisco

Saturday, Aug. 10

“RFID, NFC and Mobile Payments” — The use of radio frequency identification and near-field communications technology for mobile payment methods are becoming more prevalent. Industry experts will address the law governing these emerging payment products, privacy issues, liability for unauthorized transactions and government access to RFID/NFC information. 8 – 10 a.m., French, Lobby Level, Fairmont

“The Mobile Transformation: The Extraordinary Legal Implications of Billions of Mobile Devices” — Mobile devices are transforming our economy, our culture and our legal system. This panel highlights the findings of the Section of Science and Technology Law’s yearlong exploration of the opportunities, challenges and risks of mobile devices, and the new SciTech book on best practices for organizations adopting “bring your own device” policies. 8:30 – 10 a.m., Room 2024, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Social Media Evidence — How to Find It and How to Use It” — A panel will examine trends and address privacy concerns and other considerations regarding discovering evidence from social networking websites, conducting social media research on jurors, and communicating with witnesses and a represented party over social media.  2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 3014, 3^rd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Online Brand Protection Strategies and the New gTLDs” — Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by ICANN’s new gTLD program, including advice on using the Trademark Clearing House and Uniform Rapid Suspension. 2 – 3:30 p.m., Room 2007, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

“Big Data: How Payment Transaction Information Is Being Commoditized” — Experts will discuss the privacy, data security and financial services implications of the increased use of transaction data by banks, networks, processors and third parties.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Terrace Room, Terrace Level, Fairmont

“How Online Marketplaces and Search Engines May (or May Not) Be Liable for Contributory Infringement” — This program will explore how the difficulties of combating counterfeiting have contributed to a slowly shifting legal landscape where intermediaries such as online marketplaces, search engines, payment processors and advertisers are shouldering increasing responsibility to avoid facilitating trade in counterfeit materials. Panelists will discuss how rights owners and intermediaries can work together to fight online counterfeiters. 3:45 – 5:15 p.m., Room 2009, 2^nd Floor, Moscone Center West

Sunday, Aug. 11

“Venture Capital Financing Opinions: A Comparison of the California Approach” — Discussion will focus on the pending report “Sample Third-Party Legal Opinion for Venture Financing Transactions” to be issued by the California State Bar’s Business Law Section and its relationship to other opinion reports and samples. 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Venetian, Lobby Level, Fairmont

Information on these programs and other Annual Meeting events are available here.

During the Annual Meeting, accredited journalists should register on site at the Moscone Center West, Exhibition Hall, first floor, beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 8. A press room for accredited reporters will be provided in 2014 Overlook, located on the second floor of the Moscone Center West, starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 8. The room will be open daily thereafter from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will close one hour after the House of Delegates adjourns on Aug. 13.

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