The eighth edition of Understanding Copyright is a major revision of this classic student treatise. This edition reflects the substantial developing case law and legislative developments that have taken place since 2019, including an analysis of the eagerly awaited fair use decisions of Google LLC v. Oracle America, Inc. and Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith, which marked the first time in several decades that the Court has ruled on this "thorniest" issue of copyright law.

Other case law developments are also included, such as the challenges brought about by generative artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. As always, Congress continues to change the face of copyright law, and this edition includes an overview of the Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020 (the CASE Act), which establishes a small claims court-type system within the United States Copyright Office.