New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-15
BELGIUM.
THE COPYRIGHT CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS.
Frcm The London Times Oct =

THE COPYRIGHT CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS.
Fsm The London Times. Oct
During the Nat week, number Ut gentlemen more
or less connected with srt and literature have met at
Brussels to discuss the question Of international copy
right. The sittings Of the "Congres International
4" de Ia Proprieft Laheraire e, Aristque' are now
over and the results no. unifnportsnt.
On the 2stb ult. the chair offered to NJ Rogier
the Minister Of the Interior, who made the following
short but appropriate speech:
"GESTLENEs: In taking the chair which your
courtesy has offered me, / shall not make long
speech. Your time is too precious, and l entertain
too high respect for intellectual property to give
YOU second crbbed edition of the eloquent and tell
ing speech of your President NJ. FaiderD. But must
thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me
on account of my official position. | am much fiat
tered at the compliment from an assembly which has
so many claims to distinction. | should feel still more
fattered if / might fancy that the compliment was
paid not SO much to my official position as to the IN
terest have always felt for these International con-
ferences when the great questions which concern all
mankind ore discussed. Belgium, by her Topographic
cal and neutral position well from the nature OF
her institutions has acquired almost the rlght OF oeig
the Underground of these peaceful and fruitful ousts
instead OF being once the battlefield OF sanguinary
encounters Lances longer shivered, or swords
crossed or the roar of artillery heard. Something
grander than this sounds upon the ear 1t IS that OF
the conflicting rush of the intellect of man. Many IAN
and perish in the melee. What boots 1t p! The
stronger the more vigorous the more generous sur
yiye; and the result Of the tournament is-the nober
ideas triumphant from the Nsls tney Decoe pfh
cipes they gradually form new diplomacy; new and
rising governments adopt them, they gradually be-
come the law Of the land and their influence extends
beyond measure. As n member of the Government,
gentlemen, allow me in my official capacity to AJAX you
favor. Let every idea pass through the fiery ordeal
of your discussions but without limit to time give us
simple solutions and practical conclusions II would
be great satisfaction for me 10 be able 70 Introduce
into the legislation Of my country the principles
elaborated 10y this august assembyrich in the pres
tige of 10 much talent and 80 many lustrious names
10 not mean TO say that snch promise would be a
reward equal TO your merits but know not OF any
more worthy means Of proving TO you the Importance
which the Government attributes to the Congress and
the gratitude il feels toward you.
This speech Of the Minister was followed by loud
and unanimous cheering
The results of the Congress may be thus briefly
stated
81 International admission Of the right Of literary
and artistic copyright with or without reciprocity.
80. The establishment Of a uniform law, that pro-
lection to the produce Of ntee:t may be universal
80. Complete equality between native and foreign
authors.
-. A smplification of the formaites required for
an author publish his work in foreign country
that is TO say that the fact of his having comphed
with the requirement in his own country shall De SUN
cient.
as Dramatic works and mutual compositions to be
placed the footing library works, as regards
copyright
ID. Az authors compositor srght over there pre-
seItatUns or performance OF his works. =,
~. Works Of design, painting sculpture, afch-
lecture, and engraving to be placed on the same ioo
iDg regards copyright works of literature
80 An abolition or at least, reduction VI CusIon~
dues all works Of genius"
The principal of perpetuity in literary and artsuc
copyright was rejected by large majority.