Marybeth Peters (June 12, 1939
– September 29, 2022) was an American attorney who served as the 11th United States
Register of Copyrights
The Register of Copyrights is the director of the United States Copyright Office within the Library of Congress, as provided by . The Office has been headed by a Register since 1897. The Register is appointed by, and responsible to, the Librar ...
from August 7, 1994, to December 31, 2010.
Background
Prior to serving as register, Peters held the positions of Policy Planning Adviser to the Register, Acting General Counsel of the
Copyright Office
The United States Copyright Office (USCO), a part of the Library of Congress, is a United States government body that registers copyright claims, records information about copyright ownership, provides information to the public, and assists ...
and as chief of both the Examining Division and the Information and Reference Divisions. In addition to over 40 years of service to the Copyright Office, Peters served as a consultant on
copyright law
A copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive legal right to copy, distribute, adapt, display, and perform a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, e ...
to the
World Intellectual Property Organization
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO; (OMPI)) is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations (UN). Pursuant to the 1967 Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization, WIPO was created to pr ...
in
Geneva
Geneva ( , ; ) ; ; . is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the ca ...
, Switzerland (1989–1990). She obtained her B.S. degree from
Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College (RIC) is a public college in Rhode Island, United States, with much of the land in Providence, Rhode Island, Providence, and other parts in North Providence, Rhode Island, North Providence. The college was established in 18 ...
in 1961
[ and her J.D., with honors, from ]The George Washington University Law School
The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) is the law school of George Washington University, a private research university in Washington, D.C. Established in 1865, GW Law is the oldest law school in Washington, D.C.
GW Law has an al ...
in 1971.[
Peters retired on December 31, 2010. She was succeeded by Maria Pallante, previously senior adviser to the Librarian of Congress.]
References
External links
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Marybeth Peters Interview
at NAMM Oral History Library (2006)
1939 births
2022 deaths
George Washington University Law School alumni
People from Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Rhode Island College alumni
Rhode Island lawyers
United States Registers of Copyright
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