eBay Sellers' SCOTUS Victory: First-Sale Doctrine Protects Resellers

By Adam Ramirez on March 20, 2013 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

The U.S. Supreme Court has recently ruled that a former grad student who purchased books cheaply overseas can then resell them on eBay for a profit.

The California student, Supap Kirtsaeng, argued he was protected by the first-sale doctrine. The doctrine holds that copyright owners can’t ban resales of their products.

The High Court, in a 6-3 ruling, held the doctrine protects resellers even when the goods are lawfully manufactured outside the United States.

eBay Sellers' SCOTUS Victory Texts Bought Abroad Can Be Resold

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