On September 5 in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Postal Service will hold First Day of Issue ceremonies for a new stamp commemorating the life and work of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Behind the scenes is Corey Field, an IP attorney in Ballard Spahr's Los Angeles office who provides pro bono representation to the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Center, the foundation that holds the intellectual property rights for the estate of Mother Teresa.
Mr. Field, the President of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. and a leading copyright, entertainment, and media attorney, negotiated the rights to use Mother Teresa's image with the U.S. Postal Service. Along with a team of Ballard lawyers, Mr. Field has represented Mother Teresa's estate since 2004. On behalf of the estate, he has advised on matters including motion picture rights, documentary films, music publishing and licensing, television production, trademarks, and international book publishing matters, including The New York Times bestseller Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light and the newly published book Mother Teresa: Where There Is Love There Is God.
"We have been honored to represent intellectual property rights on behalf of Mother Teresa's estate, including working with her colleagues at the Mother Teresa Center. Mother Teresa is one of the most famous figures in world history, and her legacy, including her writings and other rights, is still able to support the charitable mission she began," said Mr. Field. "The proceeds from these projects are used solely in support of the Mother Teresa Center’s charitable mission to help those who need it most: the poor and ill around the world."
Ballard Spahr's legal advice concerning Mother Teresa's intellectual property rights is provided free of charge. Ballard Spahr has a longstanding dedication to pro bono legal service. Attorneys at the firm advocate in human rights cases involving the death penalty, voting rights, asylum, and immigration. The firm provides first responders with free estate planning through the Wills for Heroes program and represents low-income individuals and nonprofit organizations in a variety of matters. Attorneys at Ballard Spahr receive full, billable-hour credit for their pro bono work.
"When most people think of pro bono work, they think of litigation, but we have attorneys practicing in very diverse areas of the law. Their pro bono work is equally diverse," said Mary Gay Scanlon, Executive Director of Ballard Spahr’s Pro Bono Program. "Mother Teresa wanted the intellectual property rights in her estate to support her life's work. We are so honored to be part of that mission."