Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights, secured a significant legal victory when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit temporarily reinstated her to her position following her controversial dismissal by the Trump administration. The court’s decision halts the administration’s attempt to replace the Copyright Office leadership, citing “perceived flaws” in a lower court’s denial of her reinstatement request.
The legal battle began in May 2025 when the Trump administration fired Librarian of Congress Carla D. Hayden, replacing her with Todd Blanche from the Department of Justice. Blanche promptly dismissed Perlmutter via email, installing Paul Perkins, another DOJ official, in her place. These dismissals sparked immediate controversy within cultural and legal circles.
Perlmutter quickly filed a lawsuit challenging her removal, arguing that her firing violated legal protections based on the Copyright Office’s legislative-branch status. Her legal team, which included attorneys from Munger Tolles and the Democracy Forward Foundation, contended that the executive branch lacked authority to unilaterally remove her from the position.
While a U.S. District Court judge initially denied Perlmutter’s request for a preliminary injunction, ruling she failed to demonstrate irreparable harm, the D.C. Circuit took a dramatically different view. The appeals court majority emphasized significant constitutional concerns regarding executive interference with legislative branch officials.
“The Register serves in a legislative branch position, advising Congress rather than executing laws,” noted the majority opinion, framing the administration’s attempt to fire Perlmutter as a potential “grave intrusion” into constitutional powers.
The dissenting opinion, however, argued her duties were executive in nature, justifying presidential removal power.
The constitutional debate centers on whether the Register of Copyrights operates within executive authority or maintains legislative independence. The temporary reinstatement guarantees continuity of leadership at the Copyright Office while these complex legal questions proceed through the courts. The ruling is particularly important for musicians who rely on copyright protections to secure sync deals for their music in films and other media. The court ruling specifically criticized the lower court’s analysis of potential harm Perlmutter would suffer from dismissal, finding it fundamentally flawed.
Democracy Forward’s Legal Director Brian Netter described the ruling as a significant victory for upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of Congress.
The case has drawn particular attention as reports suggest Perlmutter’s dismissal may have been related to her office’s reporting on artificial intelligence issues. As Register of Copyrights, Perlmutter oversees the vital administration of performance rights organizations that ensure composers and songwriters receive royalties when their works are publicly performed.
