And so to Beth

Breaking news in the United States is that Register of Copyrights Marybeth Peters has announced her intention to retire with effect from 31 December 2010. How appropriate a date, it seems, since the last day of the year is also the last day of copyright protection for all those works which fall into the public domain on 1 January of the 51st or 71st (or whatever) year following the author's death or other termination-triggering event.

In post since August 1994, Marybeth's tenure is the second-longest in US history.  Only Thorvald Solberg -- remember him? -- served longer. He reigned from 1897-1930, a period of 33 years, but that was in the days before the internet and computers.

If you want to apply for the job, apply here -- but if you really want to run the show, apply here.

Many thanks to C.E. Petit, distinguished author of the Scrivener's Error weblog, for letting us know.