Trump Administration Dismisses Chief Copyright Officer Following Librarian of Congress Firing
3 minute readPublished: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 12:42 am
**Trump Administration Ousts Top Copyright Official Amidst Library of Congress Shakeup**
The Trump administration has abruptly dismissed Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, just days after removing Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress. The news, confirmed by a statement from the Copyright Office, revealed Perlmutter was informed of her termination via email from the White House.
This move is seen by many as part of a broader pattern of the administration removing officials perceived as opposing President Trump's policies. Perlmutter, appointed by Hayden in October 2020, had been leading the Copyright Office, which handles approximately half a million copyright applications annually.
A key focus of Perlmutter's tenure was the intersection of copyright law and artificial intelligence. Her office recently released a report examining the use of copyrighted materials by AI companies for training purposes. The report, part of a larger AI study, followed extensive review and public input, including opinions from AI developers and artists. Perlmutter's stance, as articulated in January, emphasized the importance of human creativity in copyright protection, stating that extending protection to machine-generated content would undermine the goals of copyright.
Democrats have strongly condemned Perlmutter's firing, with Rep. Joe Morelle calling it an "unprecedented power grab." Perlmutter, a lawyer with experience at the Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office, has not yet commented on her dismissal.
BNN's Perspective: While the administration's actions raise concerns about political interference in independent government agencies, it's important to acknowledge the President's right to appoint and remove officials. However, the timing and manner of these dismissals, particularly given the ongoing debate surrounding AI and copyright, warrant careful scrutiny. Transparency and a clear explanation for these decisions are crucial to maintaining public trust in the integrity of these important institutions.
Keywords: Trump administration, Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, copyright, artificial intelligence, AI, copyright law, dismissal, termination, White House, Joe Morelle, intellectual property, government officials, policy, politics, copyright applications.