Copyright Lawyer Career Info

08.24 / Diposting oleh metallic sucker and moslem militan /

Duties and Responsibilities of a Copyright Lawyer

Copyrights are an important part of American business and art. Copyrights protect the creators of art, music, thoughts and ideas and other creations, which are generally not covered by American patent law. Due to changing technologies, the role of copyrights is also changing. It is easier than ever before to transfer digital copies of copyrighted material, including movies, video games and music, around the globe in minutes or even seconds. Copyrights are also intended to protect the rights of those who make use of copyrighted material within the limits of the statute. Copyright lawyers must remain abreast of new decisions and cases related to copyright litigation and legislation. They must work closely with clients to assure that both creators and users of copyrighted works are protected to the fullest extent of the law. Many copyright lawyers specialize in litigation, either prosecuting or defending those who have violated copyright regulations. The following postings from Monster.com illustrate other responsibilities expected of copyright lawyers in today's digital age:

  • 'Ensure that all databases and archives of copyrighted material are accurate. Prepare contracts for recording artists to prevent legal and financial liability. Assist financial analysts and company executives in understanding and interpreting copyright law and surrounding issues.' -Sony BMG Music Entertainment
  • 'Oversee and monitor copyright applications and prosecution of potential infringements. Draft and negotiate non-compete and marketing agreements for copyrighted, trademarked and patented software programs and applications. Work with business analysts to meet the needs of the client while protecting the company's interests simultaneously.' -Careers USA

Job Requirements

The most successful copyright lawyers come from a technical background. Often this means completing a bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline, Computer Science, Information Sciences or Information Technology. These programs can help students with an interest in copyright law to fully understand the underlying technologies that make up the bulk of modern copyright litigation. After completing a bachelor's degree program, a J.D. or Juris Doctorate degree program is required. This is a three-year course of general legal study. During their studies, students will have an opportunity to focus their career interests and develop connections that will aid them in their career search. After completing the J.D. program, copyright lawyers must pass their state's Bar exam before practicing. The Bar exam is a multi-part examination focusing on ethics, state, interstate and federal law and other legal issues.

In addition to meeting all educational requirements, prospective copyright lawyers should have excellent communications and technical writing skills. Often, part of their job will be to communicate technically challenging thoughts and ideas to non-technical individuals, like juries. The following postings from Monster.com indicate other skills and abilities that employers look for when hiring a copyright lawyer:

  • 'A minimum of three years experience counseling on intellectual property business, transactional law and software technologies is required. Experience in preparing software leases and licensing agreements is a plus.' -Ajilon Legal
  • 'Master's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering is preferred. Admission to the US Patent and Trademark Office, USPTO is encouraged. Experience working within the telecom industry in any capacity is a plus.' -Verizon Business

Economic Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, expects overall employment of lawyers to grow by about ten percent in the coming decade. Despite this growth, competition for available positions is expected to be fierce, as the number of law school graduates continues to grow. Copyright lawyers may have increased career opportunities due to the constant evolution and change within the industry. The greatest career opportunities will be available to those copyright lawyers with exceptional technical backgrounds. Copyright lawyers must be able to make their clients, who may include artists, writers and musicians, comfortable regarding their technical decisions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics goes on to report that in 2006 the median annual earnings for a salaried lawyer were slightly over $100,000. Salaries in the legal profession are highly variable and depend on the type of work chosen, be it in private practice, public works or the government.

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