The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-14
Proposed Amendment OF the Law OF Copy :
right.

4 bill has been introduced into the House of
Representatives, by Mr.. c. ]. lnsersoll, for the
amendment of the law relating 10 copyright, and
rs stated in the preamble 10 afford greater protec
ton 10 literary works, music, AID sculpture well
as to the arts of design, engraving, modelling, pat
tern making and paper staining" The bill has
been read once and referred to select committee
The 70 lowing is an abstract Of It's provi ions;-
CLAUSE lst Repeats the existing acts respecting copy
rights with a special in Of proceedings at
law under them at the passing of the act These acts are
three in number the dates ony of which are given, viz
May l7s3 April 1892 and February 1881.
"a Interpretation clause, defining the constrnc
ton OF the word book" dramatic piece copyright"
AMI other terms used in the act.
81 Proposes that the copyright in every book published
in the life time Of the anthor shall endure during his
tural lie and for years after his death with the
further provision that the seven years shall expire before
the end OF forywo from the first publication the
copy right shall enlne for such period OF fortytwo
Also the copy dgnt in every book published after the
death oil the author shah endure for foriytwo years
ath Enacts that the copyright IN any book duly regis
tee before the passing OF the act snail be extended and
endure for the full provided in Of books pub
lished subsequent to its passing
5th Requires two copies Of all books &c. published
well any subsequent editions. he delivered to the
Clerk OF the District Courts Of the United States for
the library OF Congress- and the other for the library Of
9th Register Of books delivered be kept by the Clerk
OF the District Courts which register may be inspected
and received IN evidence.
9Th. False copies of any entry in the Register to be
deemed forgery and punishable accordingly.
sun forms oil OF proprietoTshIp BOOKS
heretofore published
9th Denes the dnes the Judge the District
in cases Of persons complaining Of being aggrieved by
any entry in the hooks OF the Court
10th. Gives minimum damages of $500 against persons
who infringe upon the copyright Of book to be
verod by action at law. and empowers JUNCTION to issue
TO restrain such inrngements according TO the princi
pies of equity.
18th In Of actions copyright defendant to give
plaintiff notice in writing of the specific objections upon
which he may rely.
2th Reprints of copyright books not to be imported or
sold in the United States,
18th Imported unlawful reprints of copyright hooks
TO be deemed the property of the owner OF the copyright
who is uthorized for the recovery of the same
i4th No proprietor OF copy right in any book TO main
tain suit under this act unless the 9th and Sh sections
have been complied with.
18th Copyright to be deemed personal property, and
subject to the same laws Of distribution
10th and 18th. Publishers OF serial publications to have
the same term OF copyright given to the authors OF
books.
18th In all suits under this the defendant may plead
the general issue and give the special matter in evidence
All actions to commence within blank calendar months
after the alledged offence.
18TH No person be entitled to copyright unless he be
citizen of the United States being author bona
tide resident therein
We do not see any great prospect OF this bill pass
ing into law, but at all events no harm, but good,
may result from the discussion of the proposal
The tendency of the measure would, no doubt, be
to encourage the rising literary talent of the coun-
try, which at present may be said to be overpow
cred by the multifarious introduction Of English
publications.