This position is located in the Office of The General Counsel, Copyright Office. Copyright is a form of legal protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other works. The Assistant General Counsel position works in the Office of General Counsel of the Copyright Office. The incumbent serves as an expert on all legal and factual matters related to the administration of title 17 of the U.S. Code.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to Write/Communicate in Writing. ** Ability to Conduct Legal Research. ** Knowledge of Copyright Law. ** Knowledge of Administrative Law. Ability to Meet and Deal with Others. Ability to Convey Legal Analysis and Information Orally Through Briefings, Consultations, and Other Presentations. Ability to Communicate Effectively Other Than in Writing.
The United States Copyright Office, located within the Library of Congress and under the direction of the Register of Copyrights, administers the Copyright Law, advises Congress and government agencies on legal and policy matters; provides international representation on copyright issues; administers the national copyright registration system; provides collections materials to the Library through voluntary registration and mandatory deposit programs; records documents relating to copyright chain of title; administers statutory license provisions of the law, including collecting and distributing royalties; maintains the world’s largest database of copyright public records; and provides information and reference services to the public. Serves as an expert on all legal and factual matters related to the administration of title 17 of the U.S. Code, including matters related to registration and recordation of claims but also emerging technological issues such as those involved in 17 U.S.C 1201, implicated by artificial intelligence, or other new subjects which have been added to title 17. Provides authoritative advice and assistance on all policy and legal issues in these areas. Evaluates the merits of complex laws, legislative proposals, regulations, and policies governing the administration of title 17. Provides professional legal advice and related services to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and the Register of Copyrights on matters concerning specified matters relating to the administration of title 17, including the implementation of procedures pursuant to the amendment of title 17. Prepares probing and innovative written legal analyses, and other analytical documents such as reports requested by Congress or memoranda on complex legal questions arising from the administration of title 17. Applies a comprehensive knowledge of a range of specialized areas of the law to the development, interpretation, and implementation of sensitive public policies with long-range national or international significance. Drafts the most complex regulations and policies dealing with the administration of title 17 and makes recommendations for revisions to existing procedures and policies based on changes in the law, developments in technology, developments in the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office and other decisions or developments that affect title 17. Conducts extensive legal research on highly intricate and exceedingly complex and novel questions of law and policy concerning all aspects of title 17. Performs analyses involving the interpretation and application of complex laws and regulations, or court rulings affecting the administration of title 17. Prepares complex proposals, responses to policy inquiries, letters, legal memoranda, litigation materials, and testimony. Analyzes complex proposals originating from other departments/agencies, including the Department of Justice, Congress, or the White House and responds to substantive or procedural questions concerning the operation of the title 17. Prepares written material on matters of potential significance to the courts, the Copyright Office, and the Library and on matters relating to pending reports, advisory committees, professional organizations, and other interested parties. Drafts reports and notices in the Federal Register soliciting responses on matters related to the administration of title 17. Analyzes Library operations, precedents, and current practices to recommend management's position on issues related to various legal areas. Represents the Copyright Office at professional, business, and bar association meetings and symposia. Acts as the legal counsel to the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel. Develops networks of key national and international individuals and organizations and communicates regularly to share and receive critical information. Serves as a principal liaison between the Library and other agencies or Congress on specific matters or areas related to the administration of title 17. Also serves as a liaison for the General Counsel's Office with other divisions of the Copyright Office and others. Performs other related duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 012595. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a compflex or flextime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.