The Trump copyright office lawsuit centers on the legal challenge filed by Shira Perlmutter, the former Register of Copyrights and director of the U.S. Copyright Office, after her abrupt termination by the Trump administration in May 2025. Perlmutter’s lawsuit alleges that her removal was unlawful, arguing that only Congress has the authority to appoint and remove the Register, and that the President’s attempt to dismiss her violated constitutional separation of powers and federal law.
Trump Copyright Office Lawsuit: Context, Legal Claims, and Court Proceedings in 2025
Shira Perlmutter had served as the Register of Copyrights since 2020 after being appointed by then-Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Her tenure included the release of a landmark report on artificial intelligence and copyright, examining how copyrighted work is used to train generative AI systems. Just days before publishing this report in May 2025, the Trump administration fired Hayden and then Perlmutter through email notices, triggering the lawsuit.
The lawsuit contends that the Trump administration’s attempt to install Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting Librarian of Congress and designate an acting Register was unauthorized, especially since the Library of Congress and Copyright Office function as legislative branch entities. Perlmutter’s legal team argues that the Federal Vacancies Reform Act does not permit the president to bypass the statutory appointment powers granted to Congress.
Beyond statutory authority, the suit emphasizes constitutional concerns about undue executive interference in independent federal agencies. It seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop the Trump administration’s appointment of acting officials and to reinstate Perlmutter.
The legal conflict has resulted in a series of courtroom hearings and rulings. While some judges have declined to reinstate Perlmutter pending further litigation, the case continues to progress through the federal courts, with appeals anticipated.
This turmoil at the U.S. Copyright Office disrupted the agency’s operations, including temporary pauses in copyright registrations, raising concerns among creators and rights holders about the validity of issued registrations during the leadership vacuum.
Experts warn that the prolonged leadership disputes at the Copyright Office could undermine intellectual property protections, complicate enforcement actions, and create significant legal uncertainty.
Perlmutter’s lawsuit stands as a critical test of presidential authority limits and the protection of institutional independence in managing copyright governance amidst the rapidly evolving challenges posed by artificial intelligence and digital content.
Implications and Future Outlook
The Trump copyright office lawsuit highlights the precarious balance between executive powers and congressional oversight within administrative law. It underscores the potential consequences of politicized personnel decisions on federal operations critical to safeguarding creators’ rights.
The outcome of this litigation will likely influence future appointments in independent agencies and set precedents regarding presidential authority over legislative branch entities.
Conclusion
Shira Perlmutter’s legal battle against the Trump administration symbolizes a significant moment in the governance of intellectual property law and federal agency independence. As the case proceeds, it continues to draw attention from lawmakers, legal scholars, technology companies, and creative communities interested in the future of copyright amidst technological innovation.
This lawsuit will remain a landmark for understanding how constitutional principles operate in complex federal agency settings and the evolving landscape of copyright law enforcement.
