Kalantari

In this copyright infringement case, we are called on to decide whether the Iranian trade embargo, see 31 C.F.R. Part 560, prohibits the commercial importation of movies from Iran, the copyright of such movies, or the assignment to a “United States person” of the exclusive rights to copyright, distribute, and exhibit the movies in North America. We answer “no” to each of those questions and, accordingly, we reverse.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Plaintiff Masood Kalantari is a producer of television programs and a promoter of Iranian cultural events in the United States. He is a “United States person,” 31 C.F.R. § 560.314 , who is subject to the Iranian trade embargo, see, e.g., id. §§ 560.201-560.209.

Under a series of agreements, Plaintiff acquired the rights to three Farsi language films — “Snow Man,” “Two Women,” and “Corrupted Hands” — from their Iranian owners. For each film, Plaintiffs contract consists of an “Assignment,” in English, and a “Contract,” in Farsi. In relevant part, the agreements provide that, for a specified term: (1) Plaintiff is assigned, exclusively, all rights to the films, including the exclusive rights to *1204 copyright, distribute, and…