The Graphic Artists Guild applauds the appointment of Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights. Librarian of Congress, Carla Haydn, announced the appointment on September 21, replacing acting Register of Copyrights, Maria Strong. The Guild welcomes the appointment of someone with Ms. Perlmutter’s experience in copyright law and demonstrated integrity. We also thank Ms. Strong for her service and attention to creators’ concerns during her tenure as acting Register.

Perlmutter has extensive experience with copyright issues of concern to creators. In the mid-90s, as Associate Register of Copyrights, she advised Congress and the Administration on copyright matters, including the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act. She later worked as the executive vice president for global legal policy at the International Phonographic Industry in the United Kingdom, and as vice president and associate general counsel, Intellectual Property Policy, for Time Warner Inc. Since 2012, she has served as chief policy officer and director for international affairs at the US Patents and Trade Office.