Per Se Legality in Copyright Licensing

Authors

Lawrence J. Siskind

Abstract

There is an inherent tension between the law of antitrust and the law of copyright. While the former prevents monopolies, the latter creates them. In order to reconcile this conflict the author suggests application of a rule of per se legality to exclusive territorial licenses of copyrighted works. Such an approach would provide copyright holders with a certain legal standard, not now available under the indefinite Rule of Reason. The author argues that there is authority for such a rule of per se legality based on the Copyright Act of 1976, precedent in patent law and the concept of copyright itself.

Recommended Citation

Lawrence J. Siskind, Per Se Legality in Copyright Licensing, 7 UC Law SF Comm. & Ent. L.J. 417 (1985).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_comm_ent_law_journal/vol7/iss3/2