Paul Excels in the East

An Edge Hill lecturer has picked up a top award at an international academic conference.

Formby resident Paul Flodman, who lectures in Media and Contract Law, received an Excellent Paper Certificate at the China International Academic Seminar for Universities in Beijing.

Out of 450 academics from across the world, the 58-year-old?s paper on Open Source Software and Copyright Law was singled out for praise.

"It was an honour to be able to deliver my paper at such a prestigious event ? so to win a prize is unbelievable," said Paul, who specialises in European Law particularly Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Law. "I was also the only representative from a UK university to attend the conference which I suppose could be seen as an achievement in itself."

The annual seminar was the first of its kind and discussed issues including law, human resources, economics and business.

Paul?s paper, which was entitled 'Copyright in the Global Village ? a necessary evil or commercial reality?? ? investigated the impact of the cost of computer software in the education sector.

A former police officer, Paul has also taught in Russia, Germany and Holland.