US Copyright Office: Pallante Resigns; Search On For New Register [Updated]

The United States Copyright Office Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante has changed roles to become senior advisor for digital strategy. In her place, Karyn Temple Claggett will move up to serve as acting register of copyrights while a search is conducted for the next permanent register. [Update: Pallante has declined the new position and has resigned]

The first announcement, available here, was made on 21 October by the newly appointed US Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. A revised announcement, available here, was issued on 25 October (the first announcement appears to have been taken down). And Pallante’s resignation letter is here.

An early news report suggested Pallante was asked to step down and was locked out of the Library of Congress computer system on 21 October. The first official press release gave little indication of a problem.

The full text of Pallante’s resignation letter is reprinted below:

October 24, 2016

Dear Dr. Hayden,

This will serve as my resignation effective October 29, 2016. I hope you will respect
that I do not accept the reassignment to work on Library matters that was
announced on Friday.

It has been a tremendous privilege to lead the US Copyright Office for nearly six
years. During this time, I have had the honor of working with an extraordinary staff,
forward-thinking lawmakers, and dedicated officials from across the US 
government and around the world.

A particular focus has been to modernize our copyright system to the benefit of all,
including the structure, services, and authority of the Copyright Office. In pursuing
this goal and addressing many other complex and challenging issues during my
tenure, I have been deeply inspired by countless authors and innovators. I will
forever cherish the extraordinary opportunity I have had to serve my profession
and this Nation.

I would be grateful for your accommodation as I say goodbye to colleagues and
collect personal items this week, and would appreciate the reinstatement of access
to my computer and email so that I may appropriately archive records and remove
photos of my family. I will ask someone to coordinate the details on my behalf.

Thank you, Dr. Hayden. I wish you and the Library well.

Sincerely yours,


Maria A. Pallante

The Librarian of Congress
Library of Congress

101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20540

 

The full text of the original Copyright Office announcement is reprinted below.

Librarian of Congress Makes Senior-Level Appointments

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced the appointment of Maria Pallante as senior advisor for digital strategy and Karyn Temple Claggett as acting register of copyrights.

In the role of senior advisor, Pallante will support the Librarian’s agency-wide digital strategy, advising on collecting and preserving digital materials, collections copyright status, licensing opportunities and third-party collaborations related to digital content.

“I want to move aggressively toward making our collections as widely accessible as possible,” Hayden said. “I need focused expertise in the areas of copyright and licensing to ensure we execute these plans in full consideration of copyright protections. This is an opportunity not only to expand collections access, but to integrate education about the nation’s copyright system into that process.

“Maria’s service as register has laid the groundwork for important modernization efforts in the Copyright Office which I intend to pursue, working in close collaboration with Congress and stakeholders. Improved information technology for the office will be a top priority. I am committed to making sure the copyright system of the United States is effective, efficient and secure.”

Pallante has served as register of copyright since her appointment in 2011 by James Billington. Prior to that appointment, Pallante served as deputy general counsel (2007-2008) and associate register and director of policy and international affairs (2008-2011) for the office. From 1999-2007 she was intellectual property counsel and director of licensing for the worldwide Guggenheim Museums. She also worked for two authors’ organizations in New York, serving as assistant director of the Authors Guild Inc. and as executive director of the National Writers Union. She practiced at the Washington, D.C., law firm and literary agency Lichtman, Trister, Singer and Ross, and completed a clerkship in administrative law for the appellate division of the U.S. Department of Labor.

“I am pleased to announce that Karyn Temple Claggett will serve as acting register while a national search is conducted for a new permanent register,” Hayden said. “Karyn is a skilled intellectual property lawyer and manager, and I am confident she will provide excellent leadership for the Copyright Office in the interim.”

Temple Claggett has served since 2013 as associate register of copyrights and director of policy and international affairs for the United States Copyright Office. In that role, she has overseen the office’s domestic and international policy analyses, legislative support and trade negotiations. She has directed the Office of Policy and International Affairs, which represents the Copyright Office at meetings of government officials concerned with the international aspects of intellectual property protection, and provides support to Congress and its committees on statutory amendments and construction.

Prior to joining the Copyright Office, Temple Claggett served as senior counsel to the deputy attorney general of the United States, where she assisted with the formulation of Department of Justice policy on legal issues and helped manage the Department of Justice’s Task Force on Intellectual Property. She also spent several years in the private sector as vice president, litigation and legal affairs for the Recording Industry Association of America and at the law firm Williams & Connolly, LLP. She began her legal career as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division through its Honors Program and also served as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States – and extensive materials from around the world – both on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.