The Law and Business of Open Source Software 2024 | Practising Law Institute (PLI) | 7 February 2024 | PLI New York and Online, 1177 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA and Online

Artificial Intelligence, cloud, blockchain, fintech, health care, digital assets, gaming, supply chain management – open source technology is at work in nearly every industry. It is therefore important that lawyers understand this technology, when and how it is used, and resultant legal issues and risks that can arise. This program will address the critical issues that IP, technology, and business lawyers need to consider when handling open source software in today’s economy and how the future of fintech and tech will only expand the importance of open source. The introductory session will lay the proper groundwork for beginners and provide a refresher for all, including an overview of some key open source licenses, followed by panels focusing on the variety of legal issues implicated by open source, including patents, corporate due diligence, contractual disputes, developments in AI and Web3, as well as intellectual debates in the open source community and their practical implications. The ethics credit is provided via a session on practically focused hypotheticals on issues faced by technology lawyers, including open source practitioners. Armed with this information, participants will be better able to help clients make intelligent choices and decisions about how to take advantage of the benefits and manage the risks presented by open source software. This program is appropriate for beginners as well as more experienced open source practitioners.

What You Will Learn:
At the completion of this program, participants will be able to:
• Understand open source and why it matters in deploying software
• Analyze an open source license and its key provisions
• Perform due diligence on open source in corporate transactions
• Understand patents and standards in an open source world
• Strategize to avoid open source litigation and mitigate risks
• Understand the importance of open source in Web3
• Analyze ethical issues related to open source practice

Who Should Attend: Attorneys and allied professionals whose clients develop, use, distribute, or invest in open source technologies.

2024 Speakers

CHAIRS:

Lori E. Lesser
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Stuart D. Levi
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

SPEAKERS:

Carolyn H. Blankenship
Big Bear.ai

Justin Colannino
Microsoft Corporation

Damion Josephs
IBM Corporation

Devika Kewalramani
Moses Singer

Noah M. Leibowitz
Dechert LLP

Marcela Robledo
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Jordan M. Romanoff
The Bank of New York Mellon

Karen M. Sandler
Software Freedom Conservancy

James S. Talbot
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP