Cite as: 513 U. S. 179 (1995)
Stevens, J., dissenting
sonal property—even a patented or copyrighted article—is free to dispose of that property as he sees fit. See, e. g., United States v. Univis Lens Co., 316 U. S. 241, 250-252 (1942); Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus, 210 U. S. 339, 350-351 (1908). A statutory restraint on this basic freedom should be expressed clearly and unambiguously. Cf. Deepsouth Packing Co. v. Laitram Corp., 406 U. S. 518, 530-531 (1972). As the majority recognizes, the meaning of this statute is "by no means clear." Ante, at 192. Accordingly, both because I am persuaded that the Court of Appeals correctly interpreted the intent of Congress, and because doubts should be resolved against purported restraints on freedom, I would affirm the judgment below.
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