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Fired US Copyright Office Chief sues Trump
May27
Former US Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, claiming her recent removal from office was unconstitutional and legally invalid.
Perlmutter, who led the US Copyright Office, was abruptly dismissed earlier this month just one day after her office released a highly anticipated report on artificial intelligence and fair use. The timing raised eyebrows, especially given the political tensions surrounding copyright and AI regulation.
In her lawsuit, Perlmutter argues that Trump lacked the authority to fire her, as the Copyright Office falls under the Library of Congress — part of the legislative branch — not the executive branch. She is asking the courts to affirm that she remains the lawful Register of Copyrights and that her replacement, Paul Perkins, has no legitimate authority.
The legal battle is unfolding amid broader political reshuffling at the Library of Congress. Perlmutter’s suit details how Trump first removed Librarian of Congress Carla D. Hayden and replaced her with Todd Blanche, a former Trump defense attorney now serving in the Department of Justice. Blanche then allegedly fired Perlmutter — a move her legal team says is both procedurally and constitutionally invalid.
While the lawsuit stops short of directly linking her dismissal to the AI report, it emphasizes the report’s significance. Released a day before she was removed, it concluded that while some uses of copyrighted works in AI training may qualify as fair use, others would likely require licensing. Critics fear that Trump’s administration may favor tech companies seeking broader fair use protections, potentially clashing with creators’ rights.
Perlmutter’s filing further challenges Blanche’s appointment itself, arguing that the President cannot unilaterally install a new Librarian of Congress without Senate confirmation — a requirement her lawsuit claims was ignored.
The outcome of the case could have major implications for the independence of the Copyright Office, especially as legal and policy battles over AI intensify.
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