Addition copolymers of maleic anhydride and a commercially available conjugated fatty acid, Pamolyn 380, were synthesized via thermal initiation. The copolymers had moderately high molecular weights and were obtained in reasonable yields. The copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. Based on this analytical data and examples from the literature, the copolymers were assigned regularly alternating chain morphology. Coatings were formulated with the copolymers, and films over a metal substrate were evaluated. The films were found to have excellent solvent resistance, high hardness, and good gloss.