Wildman Harrold Partner Michael P. Bennett Named Vice Chair of ABA’s Open Source Software Committee
Committee Addresses Issues at the Intersection of Law, Science & Technology
CHICAGO – September 8, 2008 – Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP announced today that partner Michael P. Bennett has been named Vice Chair of the Open Source Software Committee within the American Bar Association’s Science & Technology Law Section. The ABA’s Open Source Software Committee identifies and analyzes the legal issues raised by the commercial development and distribution of products using software and tools licensed under an open source model.
“We congratulate Mike on his new appointment. It is a well-deserved honor and a terrific selection,” said John Letchinger, Chair of the Intellectual Property Department at Wildman Harrold. “For nearly 20 years, Mike has provided valuable counsel to his clients on technology-related issues. His background and his experience make him a natural and very worthy choice to take on this leadership position within the ABA.”
The Open Source Software Committee serves as a forum for discussion and interpretation of the main variations in open source licenses, and the potential legal effects of enforcing the terms of these licenses. The committee’s members write and speak extensively on the topic to combat the lack of authoritative resources discussing legal issues specific to open source software projects. Since its founding in 1974, the ABA’s Section of Science & Technology Law has grown to become a focal point for information and policy issues related to computer and information security law, privacy, cybercrime, scientific evidence, genetic research and engineering, biotechnology and nanotechnology.
A partner in Wildman’s Intellectual Property Department, Mr. Bennett advises technology companies and companies acquiring technology products on the evolving legal issues involved with existing and emerging technology. He has represented global corporations in billion dollar technology transactions, and regularly counsels clients on the mitigation of risk associated with use and distribution of software licensed under an open source model, enabling them to avoid the frequent legal pitfalls arising from such use. Over the course of his career, he has negotiated transactions on behalf of technology consumers with nearly every major provider of hardware and software operating systems and applications.
Mr. Bennett is a regular author and speaker on the topics of open sourcing strategies and the best methods for protecting a software license. He received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1982, and earned his law degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1989. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Bennett studied systems analysis and design at DePaul University in Chicago.
About Wildman Harrold
Wildman Harrold is a 200-attorney business law firm based in Chicago representing Fortune 500 companies and private businesses in Litigation, Business Transactions and Intellectual Property. The national Litigation practice is recognized as one of the best in the country and was selected by Corporate Counsel magazine as a “Go-To” Law Firm. The Transactions Department provides legal counsel on all corporate matters with a highly specialized practice for private equity funds. The Intellectual Property practice addresses the full-range of IP issues and includes a premier team of Privacy and Data Security attorneys.