In this evening presentation, Simon Stokes of law firm Tarlo Lyons will explain your responsibilities under the new UK Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 , which come into effect on December 11 2003. After the discussion, there will be a facilitated networking session, followed by drinks.

This event is available at the special price of £5.00 per head.

The new electronic communications regulations come into effect in December. If your company carries out marketing by email, SMS, MMS or any other form of electronic communication - including telephone and fax - the laws will apply to you. If your organisation operates cookies on its website, the laws could also apply.

The purpose of the law is to prevent email spam and other unsolicited marketing communications being sent without the prior consent of the recipient. But what is the definition of 'unsolicited'? What happens to your existing database of customers? And what are the rules concerning business to business marketing messages?

Will the laws do anything to stem the flow of spam into our inboxes? How will they be enforced - and by who?

Presentation

'Outlawing Spam: The new EU law '

Simon Stokes, Partner in charge of Commercial Intellectual Property, Electronic Commerce and Digital Media, Tarlo Lyons.

• New EU/UK law on spam and email direct marketing
• International developments
• How to (legally) send email marketing
• How to (legally) prevent spam
• Questions from the audience and discussion

Networking

'Speed Networking'
Following Simon's talk there will be a period of facilitated networking, during which every audience member (who wants to) will have the opportunity to meet everybody else in the room. The session will be fun, relaxed, informal and quick, and NMK staff will be on hand to make introductions and get things moving. Working in small groups, you'll make your way round the room, with a minute or two to say hello to everyone you meet. Bring plenty of business cards!

'Slow Networking'
After that it's time to grab a drink, relax and continue some of the conversations you started during the speed networking. Whether you want to chat about the evening's talk, follow up on potential business contacts or just chill out and socialise, now's your chance.

Speaker Profile

Simon Stokes, Partner, Tarlo Lyons
Simon Stokes is a partner and head of the Commercial Intellectual Property, Electronic Commerce and Digital Media practices at London law firm, Tarlo Lyons. Mr Stokes specialises in data privacy, electronic commerce/IT and commercial intellectual property law. His clients include major suppliers and consultancies in the media, e-commerce, EDI, chemical, financial and broadcasting sectors. He is news editor of the Computer and Telecommunications Law Review and an editorial board member of Electronic Business Law. He is also a member of the Licensing Executives Society, a member of the City of London Law Society Commercial Law Subcommittee and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Mr Stokes is the author of two books: Art & Copyright (Hart Publishing) and Digital Copyright: Law & Practice (Butterworths). He is a graduate of MIT and serves as Secretary and Counsel to the MIT Club of Great Britain.

This evening event is presented in association with:

Tarlo Lyons is a modern London firm focused on delivering creative commercial solutions for technology driven business. With 23 partners and 58 fee-earners the firm is proud to be one of the few City firms with Investors In People and Lexcel accreditation. With an increasing number of partners skilled in project and risk management, the firm aims to deliver its services in a way which is efficient, leading edge and relevant to its clients. The firm's clients span global corporates, UK-listed and unlisted corporates, entrepreneurial businesses and individuals, all of whom value the firm's dedication to excellence in service delivery. www.tarlolyons.com.

Report on the event.