| This is not intended as a survey of copyright, although it does succeed admirably in introducing nonlawyers to the field and defining the major themes for those already in the field. Its primary focus, however, is upon several key cases and key issues, which are explored in detail, partly through the eyes of some of the major participants. This is of course a bit dated, and it is, alas, out of print. But if you at all interested in reading an overview from the undisputed master in the field, track down and read this book. Whether you're already into copyright or just wanting to find out about it, you'll come away with an enriched understanding of copyright. -Edward Samuels, author of The Illustrated Story of Copyright |
| My background is economics and finance and not law. Maybe because of that I found this book to be wordy and a little long-winded. The author approaches the subject from a lawyer's perspective. The book could have been better if it the author went into less detail on the one or two court cases he highlights and spent some more effort exploring some interesting concepts he introduces. Economic concepts like public good and private good, complementary and substitute goods, monopoly and copyrights, the role of the marketplace, and the intersection of copyright with natural rights were hinted at, but never fully developed. The highlight of the book is his chapter on the two cultures of copyright. Economists and lawyers sometimes fail to give the proper weight to how culture affects outcomes in society. Overall this is an interesting book that could have been better if the author was more pointed in his writing. |
An excellent book
Good but wordy
