Copyright Chief Fired Over AI Training Fair Use Report
▼ Summary
– The US Copyright Office released a controversial report challenging AI firms’ fair use claims, followed by the firing of its head, Shira Perlmutter, sparking speculation about a connection.
– Tensions escalated as industry critics denounced the report, and rumors swirled about a standoff at the Copyright Office involving unidentified men, later claimed to be new appointees.
– Capitol Police confirmed no one was removed from the Copyright Office, but the identities of the men involved remain unclear.
– Perlmutter’s firing came after Trump removed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first African American in the role, with the White House citing concerns over DEI initiatives and children’s books.
– Critics condemned the firings as an improper executive branch overreach into independent cultural institutions, with Rep. Joe Morelle calling it a “brazen, unprecedented power grab.”
The abrupt dismissal of the US Copyright Office chief has sparked controversy following a contentious report challenging AI companies’ fair use claims for training data. Shira Perlmutter’s termination came just one day after her office released preliminary findings questioning whether artificial intelligence firms could legally scrape copyrighted material without permission. The timing fueled speculation that the report directly influenced her removal under the Trump administration.
Tensions reached new heights when unidentified individuals attempted to access the Copyright Office, with social media rumors suggesting ties to Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, sources clarified the visitors were Brian Nieves and Paul Perkins, who identified themselves as new appointees—though their legitimacy remains unverified. Capitol Police confirmed no one was forcibly removed from the premises.
The shakeup extended beyond Perlmutter, with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden also ousted—a move drawing criticism given her historic role as the first African American to hold the position. The White House defended the decision, citing concerns over diversity initiatives and alleged inappropriate materials in library collections. Critics, however, view the firings as an alarming breach of institutional independence.
Congressman Joe Morelle condemned the actions as an unprecedented overreach, emphasizing the Copyright Office’s mandate to operate free from political interference. The incident raises broader questions about the balance between AI innovation and copyright protections, with industry groups now pushing back against the office’s findings. Legal experts warn the dispute could escalate into a defining battle over intellectual property in the age of artificial intelligence.
(Source: Ars Technica)
