Supreme Court Copyright Decision May Spur Congress to Revise Laws

A day after a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowed books and movies bought legally abroad to be resold in the U.S., members of House Judiciary Committee raised the possibility that the decision's biggest impact could be to spur Congress to revamp the nation’s copyright laws.

Already examining those laws because of concerns that digital technology has left them badly outdated, members of the House Intellectual Property and Internet Subcommittee suggested the high court decision provides one more reason to act. “Yesterday’s opinion raises some concerns,” said Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA). Rep. George Holding (R-NC) repeatedly questioned Registrar of Copyrights Maria Pallante about the effect of the court decision.