The Center for Internet & Society at Stanford Law School is looking for a director for a new “Fair Use Project” — here’s the description:
Stanford Law School Center for Internet and Society
Executive Director, Fair Use Project
The Center for Internet and Society, located at Stanford Law School, is a leading center for the study of the relationship between the public interest, law and technology. CIS was founded by Founder and Director, Professor of Law Lawrence Lessig. and is headed by Executive Director Jennifer S. Granick, who also teaches the Cyberlaw Clinic. The Center for Internet and Society (CIS) is a public interest technology law and policy program at Stanford Law School and a part of Law, Science and Technology Program at Stanford Law School. The CIS brings together scholars, academics, legislators, students, programmers, security researchers, and scientists to study the interaction of new technologies and the law and to examine how the synergy between the two can either promote or harm public goods like free speech, privacy, public commons, diversity, and scientific inquiry. The CIS strives as well to improve both technology and law, encouraging decision makers to design both as a means to further democratic values.
The Center for Internet and Society (CIS), located at Stanford Law School, is hiring an Executive Director to create, build and operate its Fair Use Project. Fair use has traditionally been employed as a shield, protecting creators after they are sued. However, threats of lawsuits and the corresponding expenses deter creative expression even where the law would allow it. By taking a proactive stance, the Fair Use Project hopes to give creators legal imprimateur for their creations. Also, through publicity, copyright holders inclined to abuse their rights will be deterred. As a result, creative expression will flourish. Through the use of affirmative litigation in both commercial and noncommercial contexts, the Fair Use Project will defend and expand the legal definition of “fair use.”
The Executive Director of the Fair Use Project will be the chief administrator for the program, collaborating with and assisting the Faculty director in all FUP activities. The position is for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for three additional years. Functions will include:
- In collaboration with the Faculty Director, identify and develop the direction and goals for the center. This may include identifying themes and topics for academic symposia and other public presentations and seminars.
- Take primarily responsibility for litigating ongoing intellectual property impact cases, developing new initiatives to promote fair use, building the Fair Use Project, and public outreach.
- Take the lead in planning and executing all programs for the FUP.
- Assist with placement and editing of scholarly papers generated by FUP events.
- Manage the budget for the FUP, including forecasting and reporting on all activities and financial issues from year to year.
- Manage one or more CIS Fellows and Stanford Law School students to work on the cases in a clinical education setting.
Qualifications:
3-5 years of post-law school civil litigation experience is required, as is demonstrated ability to direct litigation of impact cases. Salary is based on experience, with standard Stanford University benefits. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of references, to:
CIS Executive Director Jennifer S. Granick at: Crown Quadrangle, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, CA 94305-8610 or through the CIS website.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but the preferred deadline for applications is May 8, 2006
For further information, please contact Ms. Granick’s legal assistant, Lynda Johnston at 650-725-8571