U.S. Copyright Office Announces Ringer Fellowships and Kaminstein Scholars, Names Brauneis of The George Washington University
Issue No. 516 - September 5, 2013
Maria A. Pallante, the Register of Copyrights, today announced the creation of two fellowships designed for developing lawyers and established scholars, respectively.
"The programs I'm announcing today are a win-win all the way around for copyright law and public service," Pallante said. "For those who are passionate about copyright, the U.S. Copyright Office offers unparalleled opportunities to study and contribute to the field. And of course we will be the richer for the intellectual talent that these programs are sure to deliver."
The Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program offers 18 to 24-month paid fellowships for recent law school graduates and other attorneys in the early stages of their careers. Candidates must have a strong interest in copyright law and a demonstrated record of achievement in law school or in practice. Ringer was the eighth Register of Copyrights, serving from 1973 to 1980. A highly regarded lawyer as well as a mentor, she was both a leader in domestic and international circles and a trusted steward of the Copyright Office staff.
Ringer Fellows will be closely mentored by senior attorneys, and may work on any number of issues, including major studies and analyses, legislation, international developments, and litigation. The program complements the Copyright Office's existing law clerk program, whereby law students and recent graduates spend a semester or summer volunteering in one of the Office's legal divisions, often for academic credit.
The Abraham L. Kaminstein Scholar in Residence Program allows the Register to bring leading academics to the Copyright Office to work on mutually beneficial projects for a sustained period of time. Kaminstein was Register of Copyrights from 1960 to 1971. A well-respected scholar, he presided over many major revision studies and roundtables that laid the foundation for the 1976 Copyright Act.
Professor Robert Brauneis will serve as the first Kaminstein Scholar. Brauneis is a professor of law at The George Washington University and the author of numerous books and articles on copyright law. He will be in residence at the Office during the 2013-2014 academic year. (Read bio here).
For additional information about these opportunities, including how to apply, please visit the Copyright Office's website at www.copyright.gov/careers/.