James Grimmelmann

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

James Grimmelmann is a leading scholar at the intersection of intellectual property, internet law, and the regulation of algorithms. His work critically examines how legal frameworks designed for human interaction struggle to govern the automated, machine-driven realities of the digital age. His most-cited paper, "Copyright for Literate Robots" (2017), with over 20 combined citations, is a landmark contribution. In it, Grimmelmann argues that copyright law has, almost accidentally, become a system for humans only—concluding that computer “reading” does not constitute infringement. He masterfully deconstructs copyright’s ideal of romantic readership, revealing a conceptual gap that leaves machine learning, web scraping, and AI training in a legal gray zone. This work has proven foundational for debates on AI training data and fair use. Beyond this, Grimmelmann’s broader research explores the governance of online platforms, the First Amendment in cyberspace, and the legal design of search engines. A professor at Cornell Law School and a former affiliate scholar at Yale, he is known for his sharp, accessible prose and his ability to translate complex technical systems into pressing legal questions. His scholarship is essential reading for anyone navigating the law of the internet age.