WASHINGTON D.C. - The 2008 Aspen Summit, the premier annual event sponsored by The Progress & Freedom Foundation promises to continue its record of offering thought-provoking panels featuring prominent industry leaders, academia and policymakers. The Summit's focus on innovation enhancing policies will be reflected in the discussion panel topics, which will cover such issues as digital copyright enforcement, the global economy, communications infrastructure innovation, Internet service provider liability, and other international regulatory issues. Topics for the popular Working Dinners include patent reform, spectrum policy, online child safety and the emerging economic power of China.

This year, the Summit will feature a special luncheon discussion panel on international regulatory issues. Participants, including several key regulators from Europe, South America and other regions, will discuss issues affecting the communications industries. The discussion will be moderated by Ambassador David A. Gross, United States Coordinator for International Communications & Information Policy at the U.S. Department of State.

Discussion panels this year are:

• "Next Generation Network Policy," led by PFF Senior Fellow Barbara Esbin, will provide an overview of what's next in communications networks and the best policies to spur deployment and innovation.
• "Should We Deputize the Middleman? New Debates about Intermediary Liability," will touch upon a variety of legal dilemmas facing Internet service providers, including child safety issues, copyright infringement liability, and privacy issues. The panel will be moderated by Senior Fellow Adam Thierer.
• "Copyright Enforcement Online: Can We Do Better?" will be moderated by Senior Fellow Tom Sydnor. Participants will discuss the effectiveness of current tools methods for enforcing copyrights in the digital world and will offer their opinions on the way forward.
• "The Innovation Imperative: Engage or Retreat?," which will examine the U.S. position within the global economy, will be moderated by Senior Fellow Bret Swanson. Participants will debate whether our current trade, immigration, and tax policies will encourage further growth and innovation.

The 2008 PFF Aspen Summit will be held August 17th - 19th at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado. Further details can be found on our web site. Registration can be performed online, and a discounted rate is available through June 30 th. Questions should be directed to Jane Creel at mail@pff.org or (202)289-8928. Members of the media are always welcome to attend and should contact Amy Smorodin at asmorodin@pff.org or (202)289-8928. Details regarding the Aspen Summit, including the keynote speakers, will be announced in upcoming weeks.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.