Trump Fires Top Copyright Official After AI Training Report
Trump's dismissal of copyright chief signals potential policy shift favoring AI development over creator rights.
President Trump has dismissed the top copyright official in the United States, Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Why it matters:
The move comes days after the U.S. Copyright Office issued a pre-publication version of a report on copyright and artificial intelligence.
As per Music Business Worldwide (MBW), the report "seems to take a stance" that "training AI on copyrighted songs without licensing likely exceeds 'fair use' definitions in the United States".
According to Politico, less than 24 hours after the report was made available (Saturday May 10) the White House advised Perlmutter her role was "terminated".
Congressman Joe Morelle alleged it's "no coincidence [Trump] acted less than a day after [Perlmutter] refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk's efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models".
The implications:
According to MBW, Perlmutter's sacking comes in the wake of OpenAI openly lobbying Trump to weaken copyright protections.
There are concerns this latest move signals Trump's willingness to sacrifice creators' rights in favor of AI development.
President Trump has dismissed the top copyright official in the United States, Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Why it matters:
The move comes days after the U.S. Copyright Office issued a pre-publication version of a report on copyright and artificial intelligence.
As per Music Business Worldwide (MBW), the report "seems to take a stance" that "training AI on copyrighted songs without licensing likely exceeds 'fair use' definitions in the United States".
According to Politico, less than 24 hours after the report was made available (Saturday May 10) the White House advised Perlmutter her role was "terminated".
Congressman Joe Morelle alleged it's "no coincidence [Trump] acted less than a day after [Perlmutter] refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk's efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models".
The implications:
According to MBW, Perlmutter's sacking comes in the wake of OpenAI openly lobbying Trump to weaken copyright protections.
There are concerns this latest move signals Trump's willingness to sacrifice creators' rights in favor of AI development.
President Trump has dismissed the top copyright official in the United States, Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Why it matters:
The move comes days after the U.S. Copyright Office issued a pre-publication version of a report on copyright and artificial intelligence.
As per Music Business Worldwide (MBW), the report "seems to take a stance" that "training AI on copyrighted songs without licensing likely exceeds 'fair use' definitions in the United States".
According to Politico, less than 24 hours after the report was made available (Saturday May 10) the White House advised Perlmutter her role was "terminated".
Congressman Joe Morelle alleged it's "no coincidence [Trump] acted less than a day after [Perlmutter] refused to rubber-stamp Elon Musk's efforts to mine troves of copyrighted works to train AI models".
The implications:
According to MBW, Perlmutter's sacking comes in the wake of OpenAI openly lobbying Trump to weaken copyright protections.
There are concerns this latest move signals Trump's willingness to sacrifice creators' rights in favor of AI development.
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This article was selected by the author based on their judgement that it would be interesting to readers.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles
Policy & Legal
Sep 4, 2025
1 min read
More Details Emerge in the Sting vs Copeland/Summers Lawsuit
His former bandmates in The Police claim they’re owed £1.5m
Policy & Legal
Sep 4, 2025
1 min read
EU Pauses Probe Into UMG’s Acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings
The deal has been under scrutiny for months in regards to anti-trust concerns
Policy & Legal
Sep 2, 2025
1 min read
Vinyl Records and CDs Will be Exempt From US Tariffs
US Customs and Border Protection confirmed the exemption
More Details Emerge in the Sting vs Copeland/Summers Lawsuit
His former bandmates in The Police claim they’re owed £1.5m
Rod Yates
Policy
Sep 4, 2025
EU Pauses Probe Into UMG’s Acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings
The deal has been under scrutiny for months in regards to anti-trust concerns
Harry Levin
Policy
Sep 4, 2025
Vinyl Records and CDs Will be Exempt From US Tariffs
US Customs and Border Protection confirmed the exemption
Harry Levin
Policy
Sep 2, 2025
Authorities Investigate Burning Man Homicide
Festival organizers are cooperating with the investigation
Rod Yates
Policy
Sep 2, 2025
Cox Warns of Mass Internet Disconnections in Latest Fight with Majors
The battle is ramping up again in the US Supreme Court
Rod Yates
Policy
Sep 2, 2025
PRS For Music Prevails in Lawsuit Related to Royalty Distributions
Plaintiffs claimed the UK-based performance rights organization misallocates ‘black box’ income
Harry Levin
Policy
Sep 1, 2025
