US Copyright Office found AI companies breach copyright. Its boss was fired

Two different issues that while apparently related need separate consideration. Re the copyright finding, does the US copyright office have standing to make such a determination? Presumably not since various claims about AI and copyright are before the courts. Why did they write this finding?

> The Office is releasing this pre-publication version of Part 3 in response to congressional inquiries and expressions of interest from stakeholders

They acknowledge the issue is before courts:

> These issues are the subject of intense debate. Dozens of lawsuits are pending in the United States, focusing on the application of copyright’s fair use doctrine. Legislators around the world have proposed or enacted laws regarding the use of copyrighted works in AI training, whether to remove barriers or impose restrictions

Why did they write the finding: I assume it's because it's their responsibility:

> Pursuant to the Register of Copyrights’ statutory responsibility to “[c]onduct studies” and “[a]dvise Congress on national and international issues relating to copyright,”...

All excerpts are from https://www.copyright.gov/ai/Copyright-and-Artificial-Intell...

Given that the issue at hand is related to potential misuse of copyright protected material, it seems totally reasonable for the copyright office to investigate and potentially act to reconcile the issue.

Sure the courts may find its out of their jurisdiction, but they should act as they see fit and let the courts settle that later.

The US Supreme court has complained on multiple occasions that it is forced to do the work of the legislative.

Why could a copyright office not advise the congress/senate to enact a law that forbids copyrighted material to be used in AI training? This is literally the politicians' job.

Part of Congresses power is to defer that agencies it has created. Such as the US Copyright Office.