EFF fundraiser/Pioneer Awards ceremony at ETECH in San Diego

Next Tuesday, Mar 27, the EFF's throwing a fundraiser at the O'Reilly Emerging Tech conference in San Diego. The event is the presentation of the Pioneer Awards, an award that "recognizes individuals who have made significant and influential contributions to the development of computer-mediated communications or to the empowerment of individuals in using computers and the Internet." I'm a winner this year, as are security expert Bruce Schneier and Yochai "Wealth of Networks" Benkler.

The event features a debate between Mark Cuban, the owner of HDNet, and Fred von Lohmann, EFF's senior IP attorney, about "Copyright, YouTube, and the future of Web 2.0." Cuban has taken a vocal stand against copyright infringement on YouTube, while Fred argued the Grokster case to a victory in the Ninth Circuit on the grounds that hosting companies shouldn't have to assume the burden of policing their users' behavior.

Tickets are $35, with proceeds going to EFF -- the organization that legalized crypto, is fighting the NSA's secret wiretapping, and that is suing Viacom for censoring a political video off YouTube. Admission includes food, beer and wine.

Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 7:30 - 10:00PM

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, Douglas Room, 1 Market Place, San Diego, California

Honoring this year's winners: Yochai Benkler, Cory Doctorow, Bruce Schneier

and featuring a lively debate between HDNet Chairman and NBA Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban & Senior EFF Staff Attorney Fred von Lohmann on Copyright, YouTube, and the future of Web 2.0 Libations and hors d'oeuvres provided

Link, Ticket sales