Copyright office; seal f

Leadership

Download an organizational chart of the Copyright Office here.

The Register of Copyrights is the Director of the U.S. Copyright Office and a leader on copyright issues within the U.S. government. By statute, the Register works under the general direction of the Librarian of Congress and carries out a variety of legal and policy functions specified in Title 17 of the United States Code. The Copyright Office has six divisions in addition to the Register’s Office and approximately 450 staff members. Four Associate Registers of Copyrights and two Assistant Registers of Copyrights report directly to the Register and help execute her statutory mandates.

Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office

Shira Perlmutter

Register of Copyrights and Director, U.S. Copyright Office

Bio

The Register of Copyrights has overall responsibility for the Copyright Office and its statutory mandates. Specifically, under the Register’s direction, the Copyright Office provides legal interpretations of copyright law, administers the provisions of Title 17, issues and implements copyright regulations, and advises Congress and other government officials on domestic and international copyright policy and other intellectual property issues. The staff of the Office of the Register includes a special advisor and a confidential assistant who support the Register in conducting activities across the Office and the Library.

David Brunton, Special Advisor to the Register of Copyrights

David Brunton

Special Advisor to the Register of Copyrights

Bio

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) assists the Register in carrying out the work of the Copyright Office regarding the interpretation and application of copyright law. OGC works with the Department of Justice, other federal departments, and the legal community on a wide range of copyright matters, including litigation and the administration of Title 17. OGC also has primary responsibility for the formulation and implementation of regulations and the adoption of legal positions governing the practices of the Copyright Office. The General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights, who is an expert copyright attorney and one of four legal advisors to the Register, leads the division.

Suzanne Wilson, Deputy Director of Policy and International Affairs

Suzanne Wilson

General Counsel and Associate Register of Copyrights

Bio

Emily Chapuis, Deputy General Counsel

Emily Chapuis

Deputy General Counsel

Bio

The Office of Policy and International Affairs (PIA) assists the Register with the policy functions of the Copyright Office, including domestic and international policy analyses, legislative support, and trade and treaty discussions. As part of its work, PIA provides technical advice to Congress and its committees and represents the Copyright Office at meetings of government officials concerned with the international aspects of intellectual property protection. The Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Policy and International Affairs, who is an expert copyright attorney and one of four legal advisors to the Register, leads the division.

Maria Strong, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Policy and International Affairs

Maria Strong

Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Policy and International Affairs

Bio

Andrew Foglia, Deputy Director of Policy and International Affairs

Andrew Foglia

Deputy Director of Policy and International Affairs

Bio

Brent Lutes, Chief Economist

Brent Lutes

Chief Economist

Bio

The Office of Registration Policy and Practice (RPP) is responsible for administering the copyright registration system and advising the Register on questions of registration policy and related regulations and interpretations of copyright law. RPP has three main divisions (Literary, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts) and several specialized sections (such as motion pictures). The Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Registration Policy and Practice, who is an expert copyright attorney and one of four legal advisors to the Register, leads the division.

Robert J. Kasunic, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Registration Policy and Practice

Robert J. Kasunic

Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Registration Policy and Practice

Bio

Erik Bertin, Deputy Director of Registration Policy and Practice

Erik Bertin

Deputy Director of Registration Policy and Practice

Bio

The Office of Public Information and Education (PIE) is responsible for providing authoritative information to the public about copyright law, answering public inquiries, and offering outreach and education programs. PIE publishes an annotated version of Title 17, maintains a website providing information about Copyright Office activities, produces explanatory and educational materials and programs, and responds to public questions about Office policies and procedures. The Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education, who is an expert copyright attorney and one of four legal advisors to the Register, leads the division.

Miriam DeChant, Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education

Miriam Lord

Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Public Information and Education

Bio

George Thuronyi, Deputy Director of Public Information and Education

George Thuronyi

Deputy Director of Public Information and Education

Bio

The Office of the Assistant Register and Director of Operations (ARDO) is responsible for financial management, business and administrative operations, and strategic planning for the Copyright Office. This includes financial operations, budget and procurement processes, and statutory royalty investments and disbursements. ARDO oversees five sections comprising finance and budget, human capital, materials control and analysis, acquisitions and deposits, and product management. Working with the other divisions, ARDO manages Office projects, including the modernization of Copyright Office systems and processes. The Assistant Register and Director of Operations, who is an expert in financial management and other business operations, leads the division.

Maria Strong, Acting Assistant Register of Copyrights and Director of Operations

Jacqueline Napier

Assistant Register and Director of Operations

Bio

The Office of Copyright Records is responsible for establishing records policies and preserving, maintaining, and servicing copyright-related records. This division records transfers of copyright ownership and notices of termination, makes copyright documents and related information available to the public, researches and provides certified and non-certified copies of copyright deposits, ensures their storage and security, and safeguards the official records of the Copyright Office. The Assistant Register and Director of the Office of Copyright Records, who is an expert in public administration, leads the division.

Denise D. Wofford, Director of Copyright Records

Denise D. Wofford

Assistant Register and Director, Office of Copyright Records

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Maren Read, Deputy Director of Copyright Records

Maren Read

Deputy Director of Copyright Records

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