Copyright in the Afterlife: Estate Planning Tips for Authors

When: Wednesday, October 1, 2-3 p.m. ET

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Brenda Ulrich
Presenter: Brenda Ulrich, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Archstone Law

Under US law, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. This means that, by law, your copyrights will outlive you by several decades. When making your estate plan, how can an author best manage their copyrights for their heirs and beneficiaries?  

In this webinar, intellectual property lawyer Brenda Ulrich will discuss some of these issues, including:

  • How should I plan for my copyrights in my estate plan?
  • What happens if I DON’T address copyrights in my estate plan?
  • Is there a difference in how to handle published vs unpublished copyrighted works?
  • What is a “literary executor” or “literary trustee”, and do I need one?
  • What about leaving my works to an archive or library?

Participants should also bring their questions.

Disclaimer: Brenda is not a trusts and estates lawyer. Estate law is governed by state law. The webinar will be focused on general principles of copyright-related estate planning.  Any questions specific to your state’s laws or your specific plan should be addressed to your own estate lawyer.

Brenda Ulrich practices publishing and intellectual property law at Archstone Law Group, PC, where she is a Partner ([email protected]). She represents many textbook authors in drafting and negotiating publishing, licensing, and collaboration agreements and in resolving publishing disputes. She also advises colleges and universities on the development and implementation of intellectual property policies, navigating copyright questions related to teaching and scholarship, and managing and defending trademark portfolios.