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Americans could lose the right to resell their own possessions
This fall, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could drastically affect your ability to resell everyday items like artwork, books, CDs / DVDs, electronics and even furniture. If a certain book publisher has their way, American consumers would be required to obtain permission to resell anything they own that was made overseas.
It all started when Supap Kirtsaenge, a native of Thailand, moved to the US to attend Cornell University. During his time there, he discovered that the same textbooks he was buying in America sold for significantly less in his home country.
The enterprising young man had friends and family buy books for him in Thailand and ship them abroad. From there, Kirtsaenge started an eBay business that brought in nearly $1.2 million, according to court documents.
Wiley, the book publisher in question, admits they sell textbooks for less outside of the US. Even so, they decided to sue Kirtsaenge for copyright infringement. The Thailand native countered with the first-sale doctrine in copyright law. The doctrine, recognized by the Supreme Court since 1908, states that the copyright holder only has controller over the first sale.
A change in the law could have a profound effect on the entire country. Sites like eBay and especially Craigslist would no doubt suffer. Trading in an old vehicle towards something new would be a nightmare. Manufacturers might even see overseas production as an incentive to cash in on resale later on in a product’s life. The list goes on and on but we’ll stop there for the sake of brevity.
Oral arguments in the case are expected to begin on October 29. A trip to Congress would be up next if the court upholds the appellate court ruling.
User Comments: 59
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TechMancer said:
This sickens me. What a bullsh*t idea just because one foreign ***** screwed up. I CAN'T WAIT until Romney is elected, then we won't have to deal with dumb-butt laws that violate our constitutional rights like this. The SC has lost its integrity and reasonabillity.
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I CAN'T WAIT until Romney is elected, then we won't have to deal with dumb-butt laws that violate our constitutional rights like this.I'm leaning toward voting for Romney as well but I will believe your statement when it happens. I'm definitely not gonna hold my breath!
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TechMancer said:I'm leaning toward voting for Romney as well but I will believe your statement when it happens. I'm definitely not gonna hold my breath!
Well, I barely believe my statements as well :p , 'cause I act on frustration sometimes. But I think we will be seeing less unreasonable proposals once Romney is the pres (y)(y).
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NytShade said:
Perhaps we should be suing Wiley for overcharging American students and contributing to the overall debt that college students live in for years after college?
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TechMancer said:Perhaps we should be suing Wiley for overcharging American students and contributing to the overall debt that college students live in for years after college?
Great idea! My dad said he was in debt for 5.5 years after he left college. Most of the expenses come from tuition I believe, with textbooks and boarding in second place. BTW, who is Wiley?
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Apple and AT&T have already started, If you purchase a new iPhone and resell it a fee will be added to your account when they see the phone has been activated on a different number.
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Apple and AT&T have already started, If you purchase a new iPhone and resell it a fee will be added to your account when they see the phone has been activated on a different number.Thats a bit different when services are included which could trigger an account audit when phones switch hands.
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Another blatant run toward socialism as a stepping stone toward communism. Things here in the USA are getting ridiculous.
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Maybe the sorry bastards ought to sell to us here in the US cheaply.
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