Henry Hansmann, Professor of Law at Yale University, is a leading law and economics scholar, mainly in the field of organizational law, including not only business corporations but also non-profit, mutual, and cooperative organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in economics (1978) and a J.D. (1974), both from Yale University. He has written about a broad range of subjects, from markets for human organs to artists' moral rights, but has focused most extensively on organizations and issues related to property rights. The title of the keynote speech is "Exit, Voice, and Liability".

One theoretical question raised by the so-called cartoon-crisis is how to evaluate freedom of expression. What is the relevant criterion for evaluating the degree to which people should be free to satirize or otherwise express themselves in ways that may insult others? Is a utilitarian summing of utilities the relevant criterion? If so, does this mean that if enough people experience a great loss of utility from some expressive act then that act ought not to occur from a moral or legal perspective? Or are more basic rights involved that cannot be evaluated in utilitarian terms?

These issues require a philosophical discussion at the boundary of law and economics. Philosopher and Law Professor Alon Harel, Hebrew University, CV here , and Philosopher and Economics Professor Hartmut Kliemt, CV here , will talk on the foundations of the right to free speech. Their presentations will leave time for discussion.

Dr. Jens Gaster is the Principal Administrator in the Industrial Property Unit of the European Commission, DG Internal Market. Since 1987 Dr. Gaster has been working at the European Commission primarily with the harmonization of intellectual property law. In that capacity he has been one of the central figures of the Commission in the creation of various directives and regulations in the fields of copyright law and patent law. Furthermore, he is member of several editorial boards of journals related to intellectual property law. He has accepted an invitation to the conference to speak about ’The role of law and economics in IP (Intellectual property) legislation’.

Professor Dr. Thomas Hoeren has earned academic degrees in law and theology from various universities. In 1994 he was appointed professor in international business law at University Düsseldorf and has since 1997 been professor in information, media and business law at University of Münster. In addition he is head of the Institute for Information, Telecommunications and Media Law at the same university. Professor Hoeren is editorial member and co-editor of various professional journals and has among other things served as a judge of the Court of Appeal in Düsseldorf and as a legal advisor of the European Commission. He has published extensively, mostly in the fields of intellectual property law and information technology law. His CV can be read here . He has accepted an invitation to the conference to speak about ‘The role of law and economics in IP (Intellectual property) research’.