Metaverse and Emerging Legal Issues

This session will cover legal issues, including cutting-edge / novel legal matters, that arise in the metaverse.  The discussion will begin by addressing basic legal questions that a party should consider when operating in or with metaverse projects, including IP, contract and regulatory issues.  Specific novel subjects will then be addressed, including in relation to avatars, metaverse property rights, and others.

Usman Sheikh is a partner in Gowling WLG's Toronto office. Named in 2018 as one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers" in Canada by Canadian Lawyer and for three consecutive years (2020 to 2022) as the top fintech lawyer in Canada by Chambers, he serves as the national head of the firm's Blockchain & Smart Contracts Group. Usman's practice focuses on providing legal advice on blockchain advisory mandates, including cutting-edge token sales, crypto asset trading platforms, DeFi, metaverse, NFT projects and others. He also specializes in securities litigation and crypto litigation.  His clients include Canada's largest banks, several co-founders of Ethereum, nine of the largest cryptocurrencies in the world, as well as several blockchain pioneers.  Most recently, he was recognized in Toronto Life’s The Influentials 2021 list as “Crypto Royalty” and counsel to the “crypto industry’s who’s who”.  Since 2019, Usman has served as an Adjunct Professor with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and teaches a course called “Blockchain, Digital Assets and the Law”.