Trump fires head of US Copyright Office stoking fears about deregulation of AI
3 minute readPublished: Monday, May 12, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Trump's Copyright Office Shakeup Sparks AI Regulation Fears
President Donald Trump has fired Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office, raising concerns about potential deregulation of artificial intelligence (AI) companies and their use of copyrighted material. The move, which occurred just days after the White House also ousted Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, has ignited a firestorm of criticism.
Perlmutter's dismissal, which came without a formal explanation, is linked by some lawmakers to a recent Copyright Office report. This report questioned the legality of how AI companies use copyrighted content to train their generative models, a practice central to the business models of tech giants like Elon Musk. Musk, a longtime Trump ally, has been vocal about his desire to utilize copyrighted works for AI training.
The Copyright Office report, while not advocating for immediate regulatory action, expressed skepticism about the "fair use" defenses AI firms often employ to justify scraping copyrighted materials. The report highlighted concerns about commercial use of copyrighted works, particularly when achieved through potentially illegal means.
Democrats, like Rep. Joe Morelle, are accusing Trump of overstepping constitutional boundaries and potentially disrupting a trillion-dollar industry. The dismissals have fueled fears of political interference in a traditionally nonpartisan regulatory domain, leaving the future handling of AI and copyright disputes uncertain. The White House has yet to comment on the matter.
This shakeup comes as AI companies face increasing scrutiny and legal challenges regarding copyright infringement. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Register of Copyrights is typically appointed by the Librarian of Congress, not the president, highlighting the unusual nature of Trump's direct involvement.
BNN's Perspective: This move by Trump, whether politically motivated or not, creates significant uncertainty for the future of copyright law in the age of AI. The potential for deregulation could benefit tech companies at the expense of content creators, raising concerns about the protection of intellectual property and the balance between innovation and fair use.
Keywords: Trump, Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter, AI, artificial intelligence, regulation, deregulation, Elon Musk, copyright infringement, fair use, Library of Congress, Carla Hayden, generative models, intellectual property, legal, political interference.