The First Sale Doctrine

The first sale doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the interests of the copyright owner.

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for the purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.