What a Copyright Lawyer Does
This is the area of the law where the copyright lawyer - hopefully, you - comes in. Your intellectual property jobs will include the following:
- Provide assistance in the registration of ownership of the original creative work with the U.S. Copyright Office. Take note, however, that said registration is not a requirement for protecting the intellectual property right of the author. It does provide virtually irrefutable proof that the work is the property of the author, thus, helping the owner recover damages from unauthorized use of said work.
- Provide expert assistance in the pursuit of legal action, if and when the initial cease and desist letter against the copyright infringer fails in its purpose.
- Provide legal assistance in the process of selling the copyright to a third party especially in ensuring that the licensing agreement is clear-cut and according to the client's interests.
Indeed, the copyright lawyer has one of the most lucrative intellectual property jobs available simply because many authors of creative works across many industries are increasingly aware of their intellectual property rights. Plus, there is also the fact that you can clear up many of the public's misconceptions about copyright and its related laws, rules and regulations.
What It Takes to Become a Copyright Lawyer
However, becoming a copyright lawyer takes a special training as well as a special mind. This is because copyright law is a very specific part of the law that needs further study after getting your lawyer's license although no formal schooling is necessary. Just your exposure and experience in handling copyright cases is often sufficient, perhaps supplemented with continuing legal education courses in intellectual property laws in general and copyright laws in particular.
So, to start on your way to becoming a copyright lawyer, you must first finish a 4-year bachelor course in any field you desire although exposure to business management and economics is good training ground for your work in the future. Needless to say, your grade point average must be sufficiently high in order to gain approval to take the Law School Admission Test and then gain admission to a law school.
After graduation, you will then take the bar examinations for lawyers that covers all topics about state and federal law including copyright laws. If you pass the bar examinations, you are now a licensed lawyer.
Of course, you can immediately proceed to practicing copyright law. However, it is advisable that experience in this specialized field be acquired before setting out on your own copyright law firm. Or you can always work yourself up the corporate ladder of any of the law firms you desire to be part of.
Becoming a copyright lawyer is one of the most rewarding and most lucrative intellectual property jobs in the industry today. After all, every artist, movie maker, musician and author wants intellectual property laws on their side!
- See Top 10 Reasons Most Law Firms Have No Idea How to Hire and Evaluate Patent Attorneys for more information.
