Fired Copyright Head Sues Trump, Claims Illegal Dismissal After AI Report

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks an emergency injunction to prevent the Trump administration from installing appointees in her stead and to reinstate her as the agency's lawful director. Perlmutter's legal action follows the abrupt dismissal of her superior, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, just two days prior. Hayden, appointed in 2016 for a 10-year term, had designated Perlmutter as Register in 2020.

The timing of Perlmutter's firing has raised concerns, as it occurred shortly after the release of a significant Copyright Office report addressing the use of copyrighted materials in training artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The report questioned the legality of AI companies' reliance on fair use doctrines to mine copyrighted content, suggesting that such practices may not be legally protected. This stance has been challenged by major tech firms like OpenAI and Meta Platforms.

Critics argue that Perlmutter's dismissal undermines the independence of the Copyright Office and raises concerns about political interference. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), have criticized the firing, asserting that it destabilizes a trillion-dollar creative industry and infringes upon Congress's constitutional authority.

The Trump administration has not provided an official explanation for the dismissals of Perlmutter and Hayden. However, the appointments of Trump allies, such as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting Librarian of Congress, have further fueled concerns about executive overreach. Blanche, who previously served as Trump's defense attorney during his 2024 criminal trial, has faced resistance from Library staff, who question the legality of his appointment.