Trump’s Dismissal of Copyright Office Head Ignites Controversy Over AI and Creative Rights

In a move that has sparked controversy across Washington, President Donald Trump has dismissed Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Perlmutter, who has led the Copyright Office since 2020, was reportedly removed as part of what appears to be a broader reorganization at the Library of Congress, which houses the Copyright Office. The abrupt dismissal comes at a critical juncture in the ongoing national debate over artificial intelligence and copyright protections. Perlmutter was appointed to the position by Obama appointee U.S. Register of Copyrights Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, condemned the firing in a statement released Monday. “I am deeply disturbed by the abrupt and unjustified firing of Shira Perlmutter,” Morelle said. “This decision appears to be politically motivated and raises serious concerns about the future of copyright protection in our nation.”

The timing of Perlmutter’s removal has raised eyebrows in policy circles, as it follows her office’s significant stance on AI and copyright law. Earlier this year, the U.S. Copyright Office issued guidance stating that “fair use” protections do not cover AI systems trained on vast collections of copyrighted works without proper authorization—a position that put the office at odds with major technology companies.

According to reporting from CBS News, Perlmutter was informed of her termination on Monday morning. The network cited sources who indicated she was told her services were no longer needed, with no specific explanation provided for her dismissal.

Some Democratic lawmakers and tech policy observers have suggested the firing may be connected to tensions between the Copyright Office’s positions and the interests of prominent technology figures who have supported the Trump administration. Justin Hendrix, a tech policy researcher, noted on social media platform Bluesky that the dismissal comes amid “the Copyright Office’s guidance that AI companies can’t claim fair use when training on copyrighted material.”

The controversy highlights the escalating battle between content creators and technology companies over how copyrighted materials may be used in developing artificial intelligence systems. Under Perlmutter’s leadership, the Copyright Office had taken positions that generally favored stronger protections for creators and publishers.

The Biden administration had appointed Perlmutter to a renewable six-year term in 2020, making her dismissal before the completion of that term unusual. As Register of Copyrights, she oversaw an office responsible for administering copyright law and advising Congress on matters of intellectual property policy.

The Library of Congress has not yet announced Perlmutter’s successor, leaving questions about the future direction of U.S. copyright policy at a time when artificial intelligence development is rapidly transforming creative industries.

The White House has not yet issued an official statement regarding the dismissal or plans for the Copyright Office’s leadership going forward.

As this story develops, stakeholders across creative industries, technology sectors, and policy circles will be watching closely to see how new leadership might reshape the government’s approach to copyright in the digital age.