The increased use of social media in a business and social context gives rise to a multitude of legal issues, including copyright, privacy concerns, defamation, employment and regulatory compliance. Reed Smith has been at the forefront in this area, advising leading social media companies and publishing the world's first detailed study on social media.

This series of seminars is intended to cover four of the key legal topics relating to the use of social media. Reed Smith's industry experts will provide updates on the latest legal position and give practical guidance about how companies can address risk while engaging with social media.

Social networks are highly effective reputation management tools. They can bolster reputation, or destroy it. In an increasingly social media obsessed world it is hardly surprising that there have been some notable cases recently involving claims for reputational damage in this arena. This session will discuss those recent cases and cover the following questions:

• What is a defamatory statement?
• Who is liable?
• How can owners of social networking sites, users of these sites and "victims" best protect themselves?