This document summarizes the history of copyright law through several chapters. It discusses how the invention of the printing press led stationers to gain a monopoly over publishing works. In 1689, Parliament removed this monopoly and stationers created a new system where authors would sell their works to the stationers. The US Constitution then gave Congress the power to promote science and arts by granting limited exclusive rights to authors. Major revisions to US copyright law occurred in 1790 and afterwards. Fair use factors were established to determine appropriate use of copyrighted works. Later, laws like the TEACH Act and Creative Commons addressed issues like distance learning and allowing certain uses of works.