Trump administration fires top copyright official, days after ousting Librarian of Congress
3 minute readPublished: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 1:41 am
Trump Administration Ousts Copyright Chief, Sparking Controversy
The Trump administration has abruptly fired 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 Copyright Office, which processes approximately half a million copyright applications annually, confirmed Perlmutter's termination via a statement, noting she received an email from the White House informing her of the immediate dismissal.
This move follows the ousting of Hayden, the first woman and African American to hold the position of Librarian of Congress, which oversees the Copyright Office. Hayden appointed Perlmutter to her role in October 2020.
Perlmutter's recent work focused on the complex issue of artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright. Her office recently released a report examining whether AI companies can use copyrighted materials to train their systems. This report, part of a larger AI study, involved gathering opinions from a wide range of stakeholders, including AI developers and artists. The Copyright Office, under Perlmutter's leadership, emphasized the importance of human creativity in copyright protection, stating that extending protection to AI-generated content would undermine copyright's goals.
Democrats have strongly criticized Perlmutter's firing, with Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) calling it an "unprecedented power grab." The White House has not yet commented on the matter. Perlmutter, a lawyer with prior experience at the Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office, has not yet responded to requests for comment.
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 lack of explanation for these dismissals, particularly given the ongoing debate surrounding AI and copyright, warrant scrutiny. Transparency and a clear articulation of the administration's goals for copyright policy are crucial to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Keywords: Trump administration, Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights, U.S. Copyright Office, Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, copyright, AI, artificial intelligence, copyright protection, firing, termination, Democrats, intellectual property, government officials, political interference.