Last Updated on October 25, 2016, 12:27 am ET
On Friday, October 21, 2016, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the removal of Maria Pallante as Register of Copyrights. Hayden appointed Maria Pallante as Senior Advisor for Digital Strategy and Karyn Temple Claggett, currently the Associate Register, as the Acting Register of Copyrights. Under Pallante’s direction, the Copyright Office made orphan works legislation and reform of Section 108, two areas where the library community has raised serious concerns, strong priorities. Pallante also advocated for the Copyright Office to become an independent agency, rather than being housed in the Library of Congress.
A press release issued today by House Judiciary Chairman Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member Conyers (D-Mi.) indicates that Maria Pallante will be leaving the Copyright Office. This press release also suggests that Congress may take this opportunity to “examine the selection process for the new register.” Such an examination may be an issue considered as Congress continues to look at bills to modernize the Copyright Office.
Edited to add: On October 25, 2016, Politico confirmed news that Maria Pallante resigned. Her resignation letter is available here.
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