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October 07, 2005

Video game law and policy debate at MSU

On Friday, October 14th, there will be a unique and timely event held at the Michigan State Univesrity Union. The Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law and Intellectual Property & Communications Law Program at Michigan State University are bringing in the top researchers, industry representatives, and government officials to discuss the future of game content, law, and policy across two compelling panel discussions:

Panel Discussion: Game intellectual property law and policy

Time: 1:30-2:30pm, Friday, Oct. 14
Location: MSU Union Parlor C

The "Game intellectual property law and policy" panel will explore the unique intellectual property, copyright, and patent issues arising in the game industry as related to game developers, publishers, and players.

Moderator:

  • Dr. Peter Yu, Associate Professor of Law & Director of the Intellectual Property & Communications Law Program, Michigan State University

Panelists:

  • Prof. Bruce Boyden, Visiting Professor of Law, Michigan State University
  • Trevor Fencott, President, Groove Games
  • Greg Costikyan, CEO, Manifesto Games
  • Greg Silberman, Partner, Technology, Intellectual Property & Outsourcing, Kaye Scholer LLP

Panel Discussion: Game content, ratings, censorship, and the first amendment

Time: 2:45-4:45pm, Friday, Oct. 14
Location: MSU Union Parlor C

The "Game content, ratings, censorship, and the first amendment" panel will be a lively debate on a controversial subject. The panel includes Dr. Henry Jenkins III, professor of comparative media studies at MIT who has written extensively on the benefits of video game, Dr. Craig Anderson, psychology professor at Iowa State University whose research shows there is a significant relation between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior, Dr. Clay Calvert, professor of communications and law at Penn State University who argues that the recent legislation that restricts violent video game sales infringes on the First Amendment, Jason Della Rocca, executive director of the International Game Developers Association who advocates that digital games should not be treated any differently from other forms of art and creative expression, Dr. Kevin Saunders, MSU law professor and author of the recent book Saving Our Children from the First Amendment, and John Lazet, Chief of Staff to Michigan Senator Alan Cropsey who recently sponsored legislation that restricts the sale of violent video games in Michigan.

Moderator:

  • Dr. Steve Wildman, Co-Director of the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law, Michigan State University

Panelists:

  • Dr. Henry Jenkins III, Friedlaender Professor of Humanities and Director of the M.I.T. Comparative Media Studies Lab
  • Dr. Clay Calvert, J.D., Associate Professor of Communications and Law, Penn State University
  • Dr. Kevin Saunders, J.D., Professor of Law, Michigan State University
  • Dr. Craig A. Anderson, Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, Iowa State University
  • Jason Della Rocca, Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association
  • John Lazet, Chief of Staff to Michigan Senator Cropsey

These two panel sessions are part of the international conference on the future of game design and technology, called Future Play, taking place at the Michigan State University Union October 13-15. The Future Play conference, a unique international partnership between Michigan State University and Algoma University College, focuses on three main themes. The first theme, future game development, addresses academic research and emerging industry trends in the area of game technology and game design. The second theme, future game impacts and applications, includes academic research, emerging industry trends, and public policy related to the positive and negative impacts of games on individuals and society. Finally, the third theme, future game talent, is designed to provide a number of industry and academic perspectives on the knowledge, skills, and attitude it takes to excel in the games industry for students considering careers as game developers.

To take part in the conference, attendees must register online or at the event. However, attendance at these two special panel sessions are open to the community at large and registration is not required.

To find out more information about the conference and register, visit: http://www.futureplay.org

Posted by BrianWinn at October 7, 2005 06:36 PM

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