Photochromic behavior and photoisomerization kinetics of optically active copolymers of trans-N-(4-azobenzene) maleimide (ABM) with (-)-menthyl vinyl ether (MtVE) and (+)(S) -2-methylbutyl vinyl ether were studied by UV spectroscopy under irradiation at 348 nm. The resulting data have been compared with those of the corresponding copolymers containing also trans-N-( 4-azobenzene) maleamic acid co-units as well as of low molecular weight model compounds. The photoresponsive behavior has been also investigated by circular dichroism measurements at various extents of photoisomerization. The results are discussed in terms of structural requirements of the macromolecules.