SAN FRANCISCO -- The "digital divide," the gap between those who have access to information technology and those who do not, is the topic of the 14th Annual Computer Law Symposium of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.
The digital divide has recently regained national attention with the publication of a U.S. Department of Commerce report, "A Nation Online: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet." The symposium gathers government officials, academics, and prominent attorneys to explore whether the digital divide is myth or reality, whether government intervention is required to close the gap, and how ownership of media outlets, FCC broadband regulations, laws related to the internet, and access to other information technologies are contributing to or bridging the digital divide at home and abroad.


9:40 am The Digital Divide: Where Is It?
Lee Price, Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce
Professor Yale Braunstein, School of Information Management and Systems, UC Berkeley
Mark Plotkin, Partner and Chair of the Electronic Commerce at Covington & Burling


11:10 am Digital Values and the Stakes for Democracy
Professor Howard Shelanski, Director of the Center for Law and Technology, School of Law, UC Berkeley
Mark Lloyd, Executive Director, The Civil Rights Forum on Communications Policy
Professor Gerald Doppelt, UC San Diego


1 pm Speaker: Commissioner Carl Wood, California Public Utilities Commission


2 pm Digital Law and Technology
Nicholas Allard, Partner Latham & Watkins
Professor Allen Hammond, Santa Clara University School of Law
Dr. Daniel L. Appelman, Shareholder, Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe


3:40 pm Global Divide and Global Responsibility
Professor Susanna Fischer, Columbus School of Law
Professor Howard Anawalt, Santa Clara University School of Law

WHERE: Hastings Alumni Reception Center, 2nd floor, 200 McAllister St. (corner of Hyde), San Francisco

WHEN: Tuesday, March 19, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

REGISTRATION: Admission is free to the public (lunch is $15; registration is required for lunch). With required MCLE registration, attorneys may earn MCLE credits of 3 units ($75) or 6 units ($150) with lunch included.

"Digital Divide, Digital Opportunities" is sponsored by Cooley Godward.