New Copyright Coup: How Trump Will Shake Up AI Training

In a dramatic pivot that signals a tougher stance on AI and content control, the Trump administration has fired Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office—just days after ousting the Librarian of Congress. This double purge foreshadows sweeping changes in how copyrighted works will be used to train generative AI systems under a second Trump term.

A Sudden Shake-Up in Washington

Shira Perlmutter, appointed in October 2020 to steer copyright policy through the rise of AI, received an email on May 11 informing her she was terminated effective immediately. Her removal follows the abrupt firing of Librarian Carla Hayden, marking a clear departure from Biden-era leaders seen as more AI-friendly. Observers expect:

• Stricter AI Training Rules: With Perlmutter gone, new leadership may roll back policies that allow AI firms to use copyrighted works for model training without explicit licensing.
• Accelerated Agency Overhaul: The purge of top cultural officials hints at deeper restructuring within the Library of Congress and associated agencies, shifting priorities toward proprietary control.
• Legal Firestorm Ahead: Content creators and AI companies alike will brace for fresh regulations, potential lawsuits, and a new fight over what AI can and cannot learn from existing works.

Why It Matters for AI and Copyright

Perlmutter championed a report affirming that works shaped by human creativity deserve protection—even when AI lends a hand—underscoring the principle that machines can’t fully replace human authorship. Her exit threatens to upend that balance, affecting:

• AI Development: Companies building large language models may face more licensing hurdles, raising costs and slowing innovation.
• Creator Rights: Artists and writers could see stronger legal backing to demand payment or block unauthorized AI use.
• Policy Uncertainty: A rapidly changing rulebook may leave both industries—and the courts—scrambling to interpret new mandates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why was Shira Perlmutter’s firing so significant?
A1: As Register of Copyrights, Perlmutter guided critical AI training guidelines. Her sudden removal signals a sharp policy turn that could tighten or restrict how AI systems use copyrighted materials.

Q2: How might AI companies be affected?
A2: Firms that rely on large datasets of text, images, and music for training could face new licensing fees, stricter fair-use limits, or even bans on unlicensed data—potentially increasing costs and development timelines.

Q3: What’s next in the copyright policy battle?
A3: Expect a rush of proposed rules, possible lawsuits from publishers and AI firms, and a contentious confirmation process for Perlmutter’s successor—setting the stage for court cases that will define AI’s legal boundaries.

How This Compares to the Meta Copyright Controversy

Just as Washington moves to clamp down on AI training rules, Reuters recently revealed that Meta may have used Gerry Adams’ books without permission to train its AI models. Both stories expose a new battleground over intellectual property—one in the halls of U.S. power, the other in Silicon Valley. Together, they illustrate the growing tension between creators’ rights and tech’s drive to feed AI on the world’s creative output.

Sources Fox News