The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has paused the lawsuit brought by Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter against the Copyright Office. In a minute order issued September 18, Judge Timothy J. Kelly stayed the case until December 18, 2026, according to IPWatchdog. The stay follows the House of Representatives' advancement of a bill that would restructure the Copyright Office, a measure now awaiting Senate action.
The lawsuit, Perlmutter v. Blanche, centers on the Register's authority and the office's leadership structure. By halting proceedings, the court effectively gives Congress room to address the underlying statutory questions through legislation. The judge's decision suggests that the pending bill could resolve the dispute without need for further litigation.
Until the stay lifts, no substantive motions or hearings will move forward in the case. If the Senate passes the House bill and the president signs it, the legal fight may become moot. Otherwise, the lawsuit will resume in December 2026, and the court will revisit the issues at that time.