📖 Overview
William Patry is an American intellectual property lawyer and author who served as copyright counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives and as a Policy Planning Advisor to the U.S. Register of Copyrights. He is considered one of the leading experts on copyright law in the United States.
Patry authored several influential works on copyright law, including the comprehensive eight-volume "Patry on Copyright," which is widely regarded as the largest treatise on U.S. copyright law. His other notable works include "Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars" and "How to Fix Copyright," both of which examine contemporary issues in copyright policy.
He held the position of Senior Copyright Counsel at Google and has taught copyright law at several institutions, including the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Throughout his career, Patry has been involved in many significant copyright cases and has contributed extensively to copyright policy discussions and reform efforts.
His writing style combines detailed legal analysis with historical context, making complex copyright concepts accessible to both legal professionals and general readers interested in intellectual property law. Patry's work frequently addresses the balance between protecting creators' rights and maintaining public access to creative works.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Patry's ability to explain complex copyright law in clear terms. Legal professionals cite "Patry on Copyright" as their primary reference for copyright questions, with one Amazon reviewer noting it "answers questions I didn't even know I had."
Readers appreciate:
- Thorough research and documentation
- Practical examples that illustrate legal concepts
- Historical context for copyright developments
- Clear writing style that non-lawyers can understand
Common criticisms:
- High price point of the complete treatise set
- Some readers find his policy positions too favorable toward tech companies
- Updates to digital versions can be delayed
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: "Patry on Copyright" - 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
"How to Fix Copyright" - 4.2/5 (31 reviews)
Goodreads: "Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars" - 3.8/5 (89 ratings)
Multiple law librarians mention the treatise's frequent use by practitioners, with one noting it is "the most borrowed title in our copyright section."
📚 Books by William Patry
How to Fix Copyright (2012)
Analysis of problems in current copyright law with proposed solutions for reform, focusing on making copyright more effective for creators and society.
Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars (2009) Examination of rhetoric and metaphors used in copyright debates and their impact on policy making and public discourse.
Patry on Copyright (2007) Comprehensive multi-volume legal treatise covering all aspects of copyright law in the United States.
Copyright Law and Practice (1994) Three-volume work detailing copyright law fundamentals, registration procedures, and litigation practices.
The Fair Use Privilege in Copyright Law (1985) Detailed analysis of fair use doctrine in copyright law, including its historical development and practical applications.
Moral Panics and the Copyright Wars (2009) Examination of rhetoric and metaphors used in copyright debates and their impact on policy making and public discourse.
Patry on Copyright (2007) Comprehensive multi-volume legal treatise covering all aspects of copyright law in the United States.
Copyright Law and Practice (1994) Three-volume work detailing copyright law fundamentals, registration procedures, and litigation practices.
The Fair Use Privilege in Copyright Law (1985) Detailed analysis of fair use doctrine in copyright law, including its historical development and practical applications.
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Jessica Litman focuses on copyright law's historical development and its impact on consumers and creators. She analyzes how copyright legislation is shaped by industry interests and examines public policy implications.
Peter Baldwin examines copyright from a comparative international perspective across different time periods and legal systems. His research traces how various countries have approached intellectual property rights and information sharing.
James Boyle explores the public domain and how intellectual property laws affect knowledge sharing and creative freedom. His work connects copyright policy to broader issues of cultural production and technological change.
Siva Vaidhyanathan investigates how copyright intersects with digital technology, media, and culture. He examines intellectual property's effects on education, innovation, and democratic discourse.