SCOTUS to decide if you can sell what you own

Specifically, if you buy something made in a different country, can you sell it in America? Everything from iPhones to textbooks could be illegal to sell if you don't first acquire the permission of the copyright holder of something made in China for example. The case surrounds the first-sale doctrine, which was established in the early 1900's. It allowed consumers to re-sell products they had already purchased, the copyright holder only had control of the first sale. Though recently the issue has been a bit greyed by businesses that have sprung up by importing cheaper product from international markets to sell domestically in the US. This case before the Supreme Court was brought by a textbook publisher against an international university student (Cornell University) who realized he could make money by importing cheap textbooks from Thailand (his homeland) to sell on eBay and the like.

This could have wide ranging impacts, from organizations like Toys for Tots, to where companies choose to manufacture and license their products.

Hot Topic: Do Consumers Have a Right to Re-Sell Copies of Movies, Songs and Books? - Hollywood Reporter

It would seem to me the issue is over illegal imports. I can understand how this is a problem. You cannot circumvent copyright laws by breaking import laws. Should be an easy case for the panel.

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