3 Count: Clarification Needed

Have any suggestions for the 3 Count? Let me know via Twitter @plagiarismtoday.

1: Bill Aimed at Fixing Problems Raised by Perlmutter Suit Could Be on Fast-Track

First off today, Eileen McDermott at IP Watchdog reports that the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act appears to be on a fast track in Congress to clarify how the heads of several agencies, including the United States Copyright Office (USCO), are appointed.

Earlier this year, President Trump fired both the Librarian of Congress and the Register of Copyrights and attempted to appoint replacements to both. However, it was unclear if the President had this authority, prompting the former Register, Shira Perlmutter, to file a lawsuit. Recently, the Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit allowed Permutter to return to her position while the case plays out.

Under this bill, the Librarian of Congress would be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission, and the President would appoint the Register of Copyrights for a ten-year term. Currently, the Register is appointed by the Librarian, who the President appoints with the advice and consent of the Senate. In addition to changing how the positions are appointed, it would remove the USCO from the Library of Congress’s oversight.

2: 10cc’s Graham Gouldman Sues Ex-Manager for Allegedly Ignoring Copyright Terminations

Next up today, Daniel Tencer at Music Business Worldwide reports that Graham Gouldman, the former co-lead singer for the band 10cc, has filed a lawsuit against his former manager and music publisher, Harvey Lisberg, claiming that he ignored copyright terminations and has been collecting royalties on his music without permission.

Under US law, original creators can reclaim the rights to their work after a certain number of years. Gouldman claims he filed the required paperwork to do so, but Lisberg and his company, Man-Ken Music, have continued to assert rights in the songs.

According to Gouldman, he signed a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing in 2024 and later became aware of Lisberg’s continued claims. Gouldman is seeking $1.95 million in statutory damages for the alleged infringement.

3: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Exposes Homeland Security’s “Bizarre” Reply to Copyright Complaint

Finally, today, Alex Cooper at Happy Magazine reports that the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Department of Homeland Security after it used their version of God’s Gonna Cut You Down in a recruitment video without permission.

However, according to the band, the DHS’s reply to the letter was unprofessional. The lead singer, Robert Levon Been, said that the DHS said that the band should be grateful for the association and use of their song.

Instagram has removed the post in question. Despite the reply, the band hopes that their actions will encourage others to challenge unauthorized use of their music, including by the government.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.