In a recent voice vote, the House of Representatives passed **H.R. 6028**, a bill that, despite its name, could drastically reshape the **U.S. Copyright Office**. This legislation proposes to remove the **Library of Congress's** supervisory role, transfer significant powers directly to the **Register of Copyrights**, and make the Register a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate. Cybersecurity professionals and privacy-conscious users should be aware that these changes could infuse an already influential office with even more political sway, potentially at the expense of public interest and technological innovation. ### The Copyright Office: More Power, More Politics? The **Copyright Office** is primarily an administrative and advisory body, responsible for registering copyrights, maintaining records, and offering expertise to Congress. However, over the past two decades, its influence has expanded into critical copyright policy debates impacting free expression, education, competition, and internet users. Concerns have been raised about the office's neutrality. For instance, its recent report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was criticized for its handling of fair use, seemingly prioritizing private licensing over user rights. Historically, the office also supported the **Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)**, a controversial internet censorship proposal that sparked widespread online protests. Crucially, the **Copyright Office** plays a significant role in the **Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Section 1201** rulemaking process. This process determines when the public can legally bypass digital locks for activities like security research, device repair, and accessibility. **H.R. 6028** would shift this rulemaking authority from the **Librarian of Congress** to the **Register of Copyrights**, further centralizing power within the office itself. The proposed change to a presidential appointment, confirmed by the Senate, opens the door for increased lobbying and political influence in a position that should prioritize expertise and administrative capability. ### Severing Ties with the Library of Congress Beyond the appointment process, **H.R. 6028** seeks to sever the **Copyright Office** from the **Library of Congress's** supervision. This supervisory relationship has historically provided a crucial public-interest counterweight in copyright debates, given the Library's mission to preserve and provide access to knowledge. Critics argue that weakening these ties lacks a clear public benefit and removes a vital check and balance. ### A Bill Rushed Through Organizations like **EFF**, **Public Knowledge**, and the **Center for Democracy and Technology** had previously urged Congress not to fast-track this legislation, citing its potential major consequences for speech rights, educational opportunities, and creative freedoms. Despite these warnings, the bill was advanced without public hearings or meaningful examination, raising concerns about transparency and due diligence for such significant structural changes. ### The Senate Must Act Copyright law is designed to serve the public and “promote the progress” of science and learning. The institutions governing it should uphold this principle. **H.R. 6028** is seen by many as moving the **Copyright Office** further from this goal by concentrating authority and increasing political influence. The cybersecurity community and privacy advocates urge the Senate to reject **H.R. 6028**, emphasizing that the **Copyright Office** should serve the public interest, not political administrations or industry lobbyists.