An alleged attempt by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to influence the US Copyright Office appears to have backfired spectacularly. Reportedly aimed at installing officials sympathetic to the tech industry via Donald Trump, the move has instead resulted in the appointment of individuals considered hostile to the sector.
The reported removal of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter was followed by visits to the Copyright Office by individuals claiming acting leadership positions. These individuals are allegedly aligned with the MAGA wing of the Trump coalition, known for its desire to regulate tech companies. This new leadership is purportedly preparing to heavily scrutinize the tech industry and AI development, particularly concerning copyright infringement. The Copyright Office recently indicated that certain generative AI training practices might not qualify as fair use. The Verge initially reported the story.