The Norton Anthologies of Literature in 2003 came out with a new “media companion” to accompany the textbook. In 2001, these anthologies were first published with two audio CDs. The textbooks in 2003 are identical, only the CDs have changed. Students coming to the bookstore to sell back the original 2001 textbook with the two audio CDs were turned away; this edition is now “out of print” and has $0 buyback value. Bookstores are not even able to purchase the textbook alone without this new media companion.

Through five prior copyrights, these anthologies have remained current for an average of 8 years.