Trump fires Copyright Chief after AI report slammed tech overreach

According to an email that the acting librarian of Congress, Robert Newlen, shared with his staff, the White House relieved the head of the US Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter, of her duties. 

This comes just days after her agency released a report raising concerns about using copyrighted material in training artificial intelligence (AI) models.

The report questioned whether such practices qualify for “fair use,” a legal doctrine allowing limited use of copyrighted content without permission. The Copyright Office findings have led to a debate over the challenging balance between intellectual property rights and technological innovation.

The Trump administration recently fired the head of the Library of Congress, Carla Hayden, too.

The Library of Congress’ staff worry they could lose their jobs anytime

The White House reportedly emailed the Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, informing her of a termination. According to the US Copyright Office, part of the email read, “Your position as the Register of Copyrights and Director in the US Copyright Office is terminated effective immediately.”

On Thursday, President Trump also fired the Librarian of Congress in a two-sentence email with no reason detailed. However, later, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Hayden recommended “inappropriate books” for children in the library in her efforts to encourage diversity and equity, hence her termination.

Former President Obama appointed Hayden, who has served her 10-year term since 2016. She was the first woman and African American to be the Librarian of Congress.

Sadly, Perlmutter and Hayden’s dismal have incited fear among employees at the Library of Congress. Some worry that they could be next on the chopping block, losing their job in an instant.

Others even believe Perlmutter’s refusal to greenlight Elon Musk’s proposed training of AI models caused her termination. Earlier, Perlmutter and her office had released a 100+ page report that raised concerns about using copyrighted materials to train AI systems.

Representative Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, also argued that it was not coincidental that Trump fired her a day after she declined to approve Musk’s AI plan.

He added:

“This action once again tramples on Congress’s Article One authority and throws a trillion-dollar industry into chaos. When will my Republican colleagues decide enough is enough?” He even termed the White House’s move “a brazen, unprecedented power grab with no legal basis.”

Joe Morelle

Moreover, the American Federation of Musicians Union voiced their concerns against Perlmutter’s termination, claiming it could be detrimental to the entire copyright community. 

Musk wants to compile all federal data in one database and integrate AI functions

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), plans to use AI to effect massive changes in government operations. One of his plans includes merging all federal data into a single database and incorporating AI tools to expedite search functions. 

Last month, Musk appeared to support the scrapping of intellectual property laws. Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square, posted on X, “Delete all IP law.” To which Musk quickly responded, “I agree.”

The Copyright Office processes thousands of applications each year, advises Congress on IP issues, and formulates related regulations. Eliminating IP laws would thus mean removing key functions of the office.