Most people do not realize the important role that the first sale doctrine plays in our nation’s commerce. For over a century, the doctrine has allowed owners of physical copies of books, movies, or compact discs (CDs) to sell or otherwise transfer ownership to others without the permission of the copyright owner. While the doctrine has served us well in the age of physical formats, we are now in an era where consumer need for digital content such as e-books and streaming services for music, television shows, and movies has far surpassed consumer need for physical formats.