568 U.S. 519 (2013)
The case of Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Does the first-sale doctrine apply to copies of a copyrighted work lawfully made abroad?
Under the first-sale doctrine codified in 17 U.S.C. § 109(a), the owner of a legally acquired copy of a copyrighted work is allowed to sell or otherwise dispose of that copy without the permission of the copyright holder.
The Supreme Court held that the first-sale doctrine applies to copies of a copyrighted work lawfully made abroad, thus allowing Kirtsaeng to resell his textbooks in the United States.
Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is critically important for law students studying copyright law because it clarifies the boundaries of the first-sale doctrine in an increasingly globalized market. The decision directly impacts businesses and consumers by protecting the rights of owners of lawfully acquired goods, regardless of the goods' place of manufacture. The case underscores the U.S. commitment to free trade principles and the limitation of perpetual copyright control, creating a legal environment conducive to secondary markets such as resales and rentals.