Expert panel will discuss the launch of a new coalition to advocate for owners’ rights in America and provide insights on the impact of this important case
Retailers, libraries, educators, and Internet companies will join together on October 23rd to launch a new coalition to protect owners’ rights in America: the Owners’ Rights Initiative (ORI). Members of ORI will include businesses and organizations in the public and private sectors that support property rights in America.
For over 100 years in the United States, if you bought something, you owned it and could resell it – a common law right referred to as the ‘first sale doctrine.’ Today, this fundamental ownership right is at issue in the Kirtsaeng vs. Wiley case before the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court holds that owners cannot sell their goods without first obtaining permission from rights-owners, there could be significant, adverse consequences for consumers, manufacturers, small and large businesses, retailers, libraries and more.
– American consumers could lose access to affordable and differentiated products.
– Manufacturing will be encouraged to move overseas.
– Libraries may not be able to lend books that were manufactured overseas.
– Retailers of all sizes could face restrictions on what products they can sell.
– Individuals could be prevented from reselling or donating their items.
As the high court prepares to hear oral arguments on October 29, experts representing the diverse background and membership of the ORI will offer insights on the case and its potential impacts on a media conference call.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 23 at 1:00 PM EST
WHO:
– Marvin Ammori, Bernard L. Schwartz Fellow, New America Foundation and Affiliate Scholar, Stanford Law School Center for Internet & Society
– Hillary Brill, Global Policy Counsel for eBay Inc.
– Mark J. Griffin, General Counsel for Overstock.com, Inc.
– Joseph Marion, President of the Association of Service and Computer Dealers International & the North American Association of Telecommunications Dealers (ASCDI)
– Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries for Multnomah County, Oregon
– Betsy Wilson, Dean of Libraries at the University of Washington
– Moderated by: Andrew Shore, Executive Director of the Owners’ Rights Initiative
RSVP: For dial-in information, please RSVP to Alina Ptaszynski at 202-778-1295 or aptaszynski@apcoworldwide.co
More at the Association of Service and Computer Dealers International and North American Association of Telecommunications Dealers (ASCDI) www.ascdi.com