A case before the U.S. Supreme Court called Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons will decide whether the “first sale doctrine” under copyright law applies to goods first purchased outside the U.S.

The “first sale doctrine” provides that once a copy of a copyrighted work is sold it can be re-sold by the purchaser without infringing the copyright.

The Second Circuit held in Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons that the “first sale doctrine” under copyright law only applies to goods manufactured within the U.S.

This case could have a big impact on companies involved in secondary markets such as online marketplaces, online auctions and even public libraries.

A decision is expected in early 2013.