The former head of the U.S. Copyright Office, whose ouster last fall angered many in the arts world, has been chosen to lead the book publishers' trade group.
Maria A. Pallante will become president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers, beginning next Wednesday. She will succeed Tom Allen, a former congressman from Maine, who is stepping down after nearly eight years. In announcing her appointment Thursday, AAP board chairman YS Chi called her "a creative, forward-thinking leader who has earned the deep respect of members of Congress as well as intellectual property experts around the world." Pallante said in a statement she was "deeply inspired by the values of the American publishing industry."
"Publishers promote literature, literacy, education, and research around the world, while advocating for free speech, creating jobs, and making considerable contributions to the global marketplace," she said. "It will be a privilege to represent these interests in matters of policy, trade and business."