With computer-generated artwork, streaming platforms licensing models, artificial intelligence tools in need of an increasing amount of input data to deliver better predictions, copyright law and protection seem as challenging as trademark law these days, if not more. These challenges are unfolding in a period marked by acute political, social, and legal uncertainty, an ongoing pandemic, a new U.S. Administration, and recently appointed U.S. Supreme Court Justices—just to name a few developments from 2020 that are setting the stage for 2021 and beyond. In this context, it’s no surprise that creators and copyright holders fear for their interests and look for advocates and champions.

Copyright is an important topic for INTA. The Copyright Committee has been advocating on behalf of copyright owners, notably by monitoring and analyzing copyright cases, legislation, and regulation in various jurisdictions. In the U.S., the national copyright system is administered centrally by the Copyright Office, which promotes creativity and free expression by administering the U.S.’s copyright laws.  The Copyright Office also provides advice on copyright law with a real sense of leadership to Congress, federal agencies, the courts, and the public.

Our guest, Shira Perlmutter, the 14th U.S. Register of Copyrights, has served in this position since October 2020.  She is the director of the U.S. Copyright Office, the principal advisor to Congress on national and international copyright matters, and one of the key leaders and institutional representatives overseeing copyright law and policy. Previously, Ms. Perlmutter was chief policy officer and director for international affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Ms. Perlmutter shares her incredible wealth of experience, both domestically and internationally, as well as her vision for the Copyright Office and copyright protection generally.

Related Resources

About Shira Perlmutter

U.S. Copyright Office

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: U.S. Copyright Office Celebrates 150 Years of Fostering American Creativity

NYU Law Review article

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