Virtual Policy Network conference

VPN Virtual Policy '08: A conference on innovation and governance in virtual worlds.

22- 23 July: BERR, 1 Victoria Street, London, UK

Virtual Policy 08 is set to be a land mark event focusing on global virtual worlds sited in a European legal and regulatory context. The key policy themes for this year's event are:

• Intellectual property rights

• Financial transaction

• Child online & education

• Governance frameworks & Innovation

The event is targeted at industry representatives, legal scholars, policy makers and regulators from around Europe and the rest of the world and is a unique opportunity to interact directly with key stakeholders.

Virtual Policy is organised by the Virtual Policy Network (tVPN: www.virtualpolicy.net ) in conjunction with The Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform with New York Law School providing program support.

Conference Schedule (subject to change):

22nd July

09:30: Registration opens

10:00 – 11:00 Optional: tutorial session on virtual worlds - part 1

Ren Reynolds – the Virtual Policy Network

11:00 – 11:15 COFFEE & NETWORKING

11:15 – 12:00: Optional - tutorial session on virtual worlds - part 2

- Dave Taylor – Imperial College

12:00 – 13:00: LUNCH

13:00 – 14:15 Conference Opening

- Leigh Jackson - BERR
- Ren Reynolds – the Virtual Policy Network

14:15 – 15:00: Conference Key Note

- Richard Allan: European Director of Government Affairs CISCO, Chair: Cabinet Office Power of Information Task Force

15:00 – 16:00 Education, Learning & Virtual Spaces

- Dr Andrew Burn - Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media
Institute of Education, University of London
- Anna Peachey - The Open University
- Andy Powell – Eduserv

16:00 – 16:15: COFFEE & NETWORKING

16:15 – 17:00 Innovation & Virtual Worlds

- Dr Jim Purbrick – Linden Lab
- Ian Hughes - IBM

17:00 – 17:30: In Conversation

- Professor Richard Bartle: Inventory of the first virtual world MUD & author of Designing Virtual Worlds

17:30 – 18:30: Networking & expo

19:00 – 21:00: SOCIAL EVENT - at Industry in Shoreditch

23rd July

08:30: Registration opens

09:00 – 10:00: Policy Issues & Virtual Worlds: An Overview

- Chris Francis - IBM

10:00 – 11:00: Intellectual Property

- David Naylor – Field Fisher Waterhouse
- Dr. Andreas Lober - Schulte Riesenkampff (Germany)
- Andres Guadamuz - SCRIPT, Edinburgh

11:00 – 11:30: COFFEE & NETWORKING

11:30 – 12:30: Kids & Virtual Spaces

- Patrice Chazerand - secretary general, Interactive Software Federation of Europe

12:30 – 13:30: Finance

- Professor Bryan Camp - Texas Tech School of Law (USA)

13:30 – 14:30: LUNCH

14:30 – 15:30: Governance Frameworks

- Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson – CCP / EvE Online (Iceland)
- Jessica Mulligan
- Kerry Fraser-Robinson – President / MD, Red Bedlam (UK)
- Dr Matthew Williams – Cardiff University, Crime & Justice Research Group

15:30 – 16:30: Closing address

- Christian Renaud - CEO, Technology Intelligence Group

16:30 – 17:00: Conference Closing

For more information and press enquiries contact the Virtual Policy Nework:info AT virtualpolicy DOT net