Register of Copyrights Marybeth Peters is the recipient of the Jefferson Medal for 2005. Awarded annually by the New Jersey Intellectual Property Law Association (NJIPLA), the medal honors a person who has made an "exceptional contribution to the intellectual property field," said Thomas Hoffman, president of the NJIPLA.
Marybeth Peters - Judith Nierman
The Register was honored for her "outstanding service as the United States Register of Copyrights, educator, speaker and author, as well as active participation in The Copyright Society of the U.S.A. and various other IP associations," Hoffman said in a letter to the Register. Peters' work, he continued, has been "invaluable in the advancement of intellectual property."
In her acceptance speech, the Register said, "My job couldn't be more challenging, interesting or rewarding. I am most grateful to you for choosing me to receive the prestigious Jefferson Medal."
Peters also received a proclamation from acting New Jersey Gov. Richard J. Codey in recognition of her receipt of the Jefferson Medal.
Previous awardees of the Jefferson Medal include Judge Learned Hand (1956); Registers of Copyright Abraham Kaminstein (1972), Barbara Ringer (1979) and Ralph Oman (2002); Harvey Winter (1982) of the State Department; Rep. Robert Kastenmeier (1993); and Sen. Orrin Hatch (1997)
