The United States (US) Supreme Court was to have heard a case on Monday (in all probability was delayed due to Hurricane Sandy) about the resale of books that were initially purchased overseas at significant discounts - but resold in the United States. For example, it is common for a textbook author to get $.07-.10/textbook profit for textbooks sold in the US, but only $0.03-0.04/book if sold overseas. Multiple authors would "split" the profit for the sales of a textbook. The profit may vary slightly for increased volume of sales.
A Thai graduate student studying in the United States, Supap Kirtsaeng, reportedly used book resales to help support himself financially. He resold books that were initially purchased at the discount rates in foreign markets.
The arguments for and against are very interesting. The use of the Internet for online sales is a yet another new twist for copyright issues.
To read more, go to:
PS - The Supreme Court did hear this case but the decision is pending.
A Thai graduate student studying in the United States, Supap Kirtsaeng, reportedly used book resales to help support himself financially. He resold books that were initially purchased at the discount rates in foreign markets.
The arguments for and against are very interesting. The use of the Internet for online sales is a yet another new twist for copyright issues.
To read more, go to:
- http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_21880709/google-ebay-side-student-supreme-court-case-resale
- http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/30/business/supreme-court-hears-copyright-case-on-imported-textbooks.html
PS - The Supreme Court did hear this case but the decision is pending.
