"Course Packs" and Copyrights

By Denise K. Magner

Almost everyone in the business of selling books and photocopied anthologies to college students has heard of James M. Smith and his Michigan Document Services.

Mr. Smith, who owns five photocopying stores, would probably be little known outside the towns where he does business except for the fact that he is the defendant in a federal lawsuit. Three publishers have sued him for violating their copyrights.

Publishers, copy-shop owners, and academics are watching as Mr. Smith