ISPA Conference 2012 – November 12

This year’s annual conference is less than two weeks away. We have four sessions during the one day conference, followed by a reception.

The panels are going to be discussing the Draft Communications Data Bill, broadband strategy in the UK, cyber security and regulating offensive speech online. There will also be a speech on the upcoming ITU meeting as well as a keynote speech by David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science.

Other confirmed speakers include Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, Helen Goodman MP, Labour’s Shadow Culture Minister and the Earl of Selborne, from the Lords Communications Committee. There will also be speakers from across the UK internet industry and government.

Tickets and further information about the conference are available here.

The ISPA Conference will be held on Monday 12th November at the London offices of ISPA Legal Forum members Hogan Lovells LLP.

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ISPA at the Parliament & Internet Conference

On October 25th, ISPA attended and ran a session at the Parliament & Internet Conference at Portcullis House. The ISPA session focused on the Defamation Bill. The panel discussion was tightly packed and engaging, with views from people across the internet industry.

Chaired by Mark Gracey, Chair of ISPA, the panel discussed the Defamation Bill. Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Lester (who instigated the private members bill in Parliament) was present and discussed the bill’s consequences with Dr Evan Harris of the Liber Reform Campaign, Emma Ascroft from Yahoo and Solicitor Monica Bhogal.

The key to the Defamation Bill is defining what exactly constitutes a ‘publisher’ of content and this was the focus of much of the discussion, as well as the broader freedom of speech issues. Lord Lester said the bill will come in to force by next summer.

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Policy Issues

October saw some developments in key areas we are involved in.

The Draft Communications Data Committee heard evidence throughout the month, from a range of speakers. Keir Starmer QC, the DPP supported the bill, seeing it as a valuable tool to fight crime and secure convictions, and Christopher Graham (the Information Commissioner) was keen to make sure his new duties under the bill were properly defined as well as discussing the practicalities in enforcing the legislation. Other evidence was submitted from a range of witnesses was submitted and you can read full details in the ISPA monitor from 19th October.

The Defamation Bill had its first and second reading in the Lords, and no amendments were passed.

Online Safety saw further developments. The online Safety Bill is due to receive its second reading on 9th November. The aim of this Private Members Bill is to further the blocking of pornographic content online.

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Concept Coders and Sector 8 Solutions join ISPA – takes total to 30 for the year

We would like to welcome Birmingham based ISP Concept Coders and Lancashire IT engineering company Sector 8 Solutions to ISPA.

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ISPA Awards launch

The 2013 ISPA Awards will be launched at the end of November. More information will be sent out in the coming weeks about nomination and testing procedures, categories as well as sponsorship opportunities.

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Discount for Members

There are a variety of events ISPA are entitled to can attend for a discount.  The full list is below and you can see information each event on our online calendar here.

  • The OTTtv World Summit
  • Global Broadband Traffic Management Congress
  • DatacenterDynamics Converged London Conference
  • AfricaCast
  • Business Process Management
  • Unified Communications
  • WHD London: exclusive event for local hosters
  • Identity Management & Access Management

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You can get regular updates from ISPA by following us on Twitter – twitter.com/ISPAUK.