Court case might lower textbook prices

---

Tweet

The clock is ticking as the Supreme Court makes its decision about the legality of selling international versions of watches in the U.S. — a decision that could have serious implications for the sale of textbooks in East Lansing and elsewhere.

Right now, students can surf the web to find used booksellers that sell international versions of U.S. published books for much cheaper than in traditional campus bookstores, said Nicole Allen, textbooks campaign director for Student Public Interest Research Groups.

Justices are examining the case, Costco Wholesale Corporation v. Omega S.A., to test whether first sale doctrine applies to U.S. companies selling products made overseas for international consumption back at home.

International copies are often flimsier, less glamorous copies of the same book and usually are sold for a fraction of the price, Allen said.

First sale doctrine states once an item is purchased, whoever owns its copyright can no longer dictate whether students rent, sell or loan the product.

If justices decide the first sale doctrine is applicable for products made overseas, cheaper, international versions of textbooks could be creeping into local bookstores for student purchase, Allen said.

Whether or not the international editions flood the shelves depends on publishers, she said.
“Publishers will move pretty quickly to do something to make the international editions harder to sell in the U.S.,” she said.

“They can shuffle page numbers, change exercises. It will come down to (how) hard the publishers make it to market these editions.”

Although textbook companies could be greatly affected by the ruling, local bookstores will see changes too, said Alex Pratt, manager of Ned’s Bookstore 135 E. Grand River Ave.
“It will drive prices down on textbooks,” Pratt said.

“I wouldn’t say it’s going to hurt us, but it will drop the overall sales numbers that we see.”

Regardless, Pratt thinks making international editions available in the U.S. is a good move.
“Cheaper prices for students is something we should be focusing on,” he said.

“I’ve been here for about six years and more and more I see students are buying their books throughout the semester rather than buying their full book list at the beginning of the semester — simply because they cannot afford it.”

High prices at bookstores around campus drove communication junior Mike Moran to seek out cheaper online options.

Moran said he would support the legality of selling international versions of U.S. textbooks at local bookstores.

“Since I’ve been here, they’ve raised tuition (and) room and board is going up,” Moran said.

“I feel like everything around here is to make money — the parking, the textbooks. I’m out of state, so with all of the tuition I’m already paying, I shouldn’t have to worry about textbooks too.”

Pratt said he’s not sure a ruling in favor of allowing the sale of international versions would make a huge difference. It will be up to students and professors to show a demand in that area, he said.

“We will sell whatever the professors request,” he said. “If they request the cheaper (international) editions that’s the way we will move as well.”

Peter Bates, a mathematics professor, said although he doesn’t plan on changing his requests to local bookstores for a domestically made textbook, that doesn’t stop students from purchasing the international edition elsewhere.

“Students are pretty knowledgeable about how to use the Internet to get good deals,” Bates said.

“If this doesn’t violate any laws then I see no reason why it wouldn’t be okay.”

---