Chairman Steil Urges U.S. Copyright Office to Release Delayed AI Reports

WASHINGTON - On Friday, Committee on House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) sent a letter to the U.S. Copyright Office requesting an update on the delayed release of reports examining the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law. The reports, which were initially expected by the end of Fiscal Year 2024, are anticipated to provide critical guidance for industries using AI and serve as a foundation for potential legislative and regulatory changes.

Excerpts from the letter read:

"The Copyright Office has previously indicated that its review of AI's impact on copyright law was a matter of priority. In your testimony before Congress, you committed to providing timely reports that would address how emerging AI technologies intersect with the current copyright framework, especially in relation to generative AI and creative works. Your stated goal was to publish these reports by the close of FY 2024. However, during the Committee's recent oversight hearing, you predicted the second report would be released before the end of summer and the third report would be published in the fall. As of this writing, neither report has been published and we have received no formal status update."

"Creators, technologists, and stakeholders from across the spectrum are relying on clear, authoritative guidance from your office to navigate this evolving landscape and strike an appropriate balance between innovation and the rights of creators. While we appreciate the novel nature of the subject matter, the absence of these reports creates uncertainty for industries that are already grappling with AI-related challenges and hinders lawmakers' ability to craft effective policy."

Read the full letter here.

Background:

The U.S. Copyright Office launched its AI Initiative in 2023 to examine the implications of AI on copyright law. As part of the AI Initiative, the Copyright Office issued a notice of inquiry in the Federal Register on October 18, 2023, requesting public comments on various AI-related issues. Following the notice of inquiry, the Copyright Office committed to releasing a series of reports detailing its findings. On June 26, 2024, Chairman Steil questioned Register Perlmutter regarding the progress of the AI Initiative. During the exchange, Register Perlmutter assured the Chairman that the final two parts of the AI Report would be released by Fall 2024. The Committee on House Administration has broad oversight authority over the Library of Congress, which includes the U.S. Copyright Office.

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