Argued September 19, 2024 Decided March 18, 2025

No. 23-5233

STEPHEN THALER, AN INDIVIDUAL, APPELLANT

v. SHIRA PERLMUTTER, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS REGISTER OF COPYRIGHTS AND DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT OFFICE AND U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE, APPELLEES

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (No. 1:22-cv-01564)

Ryan Abbott argued the cause for appellant. With him on the briefs was Timothy G. Lamoureux.

Ryan N. Phelan was on the brief for amici curiae Legal Professors Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid, et al. in support of appellant.

Nicholas S. Crown, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause for appellees. With him on the brief were Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney 2 General at the time the brief was filed, Daniel Tenny, Attorney, and Emily L. Chapuis, Deputy General Counsel, U.S. Copyright Office.

Before: MILLETT and WILKINS, Circuit Judges, and ROGERS, Senior Circuit Judge.

Opinion for the Cou