Johannesburg — TWO law firms specialising in information and communication technology (ICT) issues, Buys Attorneys and Nicci Ferguson, have teamed up to stage a seminar on ICT law next month.

The firms say the event on May 8 and 9 will follow a trend started in the US last year for "empowerment sessions" that are designed for busy executives who consider traditional seminars a waste of time and money.

At empowerment sessions the delegates determine the content and knowledge level, and expect practical and relevant information, toolkits and guidance, says Reinhardt Buys, MD of Buys.

The event, sponsored by Enterprise Connection, will feature 10 different sessions covering the top 10 ICT risks faced by local businesses.

Topics include how to protect trade secrets and confidential information, the costs and risks of open-source software, legal compliance and risk management, interception and monitoring, and the new Electronic Communications Bill.

"Delegates should not expect traditional seminars. They should expect a whole new audiovisual experience that informs, trains, empowers and entertains," says Buys. "Delegates will have the opportunity to determine which issues should be addressed and which questions answered in every session. They will also collectively determine the knowledge level of each session."

A searchable electronic library of legislation, judgments, toolkits, video clips, presentations, software and e-books will be made available to each delegate.

Rudolph Muller, founder of the MyADSL technology forum, will be one of the guest speakers.