New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-19
THE RIGHTS OF AUTHORS.
ALErrER FROM CHARLES READE.

SIR: On May II "The Association TO Pro-
tect the Rights of Authors" sent q deputatioa
to Mr.. Disraeli to point out TO him the inse-
curity and low condition of intellectual prop
erty at home and abroad. / had charge Of one
topic, International Copyright end Stage
right on which one subject en- well able to
instruct any living Englshman. The London
newspapers did not report one word that was
said by us authors on our own business, but
printed only what was said by the members Of
Parliament who were there to be instructed.
As a natural consequence, some muddlchead or
other has been delivering his own stale Opn-
ions and pretending they are mine. Thus my
name is forged to the nonsense lOathe One OF
the more respectable offenders in this kind Ia
The London Publishers Circular. | have
written its editor letter in explanation, but
rs The Publishers Circular appears only once
a month, will ask you to nip the error in
the bud for me by publishing my letter in
THE TRIBUNE as soon az convenient.
CHARLES READH.
No. Albert Terrace Knghbrdge, London May q, 1875.
To rHy EpIroR-Sir: am sorry to see an i'm
preston has been conveyed that in my remarks TO
Mr.. Disraeli May III, abused American pub
fishers Wholesale and ignored tho interests OF British
publishers. This is quite incorrect. and. since tho
London newspapers, deprived Of their usual good
sense by flunkyism, cannot print what an author
says on subject he is master Of though they print
every word that is uttered by members of Parlia-
ment, who don't know bee from bulls foot In the
matter will ask you to let me give yOu the true
purport of what l did say and mean to abide by.
Iaccnsed not the American publishers, but tho
American Legislature, Of bitter injustice and par
TALLY in thisthat it has established international
patent-rght yet refuses to grant American and
British authors international copyright, which Is
bad american policy, since it stiles the American
author with the killing competition OF stolen goods;
and accused it of meannoss and ingratitude to ~
for thisthat it America take balance OF three
hundred thousand pounds year out of Great Britain
for patents yet wthholds international copyright
the more natural and moral right Of the twO-on ac-
count of patry balance in our favor OF about ten
thousand pounds, which balance everybody knows
would rapidly diminish and soon pass to tho other
side under international copyright and its keen slim
illus to original literature in the United States You
know what loose stuff scribbled and babbled by my
cotemporaries; l make you the judge whether the
above remarks were not worth reporting correctly,
even in this land of F1unkies.
OF the British publishers said this-that we and
not they are the parties to lay questions OF copy
right before the legislature it il contrary to reason
and general precedent Of law that the occasional
assignees of property should step between tho
Legislature and the sole and universal creators OF
that property. added that . publisher has NO ma
t.onality fixed by law; but an author has. lex
ample.-What is to hinder an American or q Cana
dian publisher from becoming the British assignee
of every line write What is to hinder . British
publisher from becoming the assignee in America Of
r. Il. "a.
said, too, that publisher is a mixed dealer; no
trades not only in copyrights, but in paper and print
and therefore cannot bring his mind pure to the
question of international copyright
You say with perfect truth that. international
copyright once established our American copyrights
will often pass to British publishers, and yield them
fair prOfit-as they ought. But unfortunately we
have not yet got international copyright and British
publishers have not at present the sense and the
moderation to be cOntented with the profit on the
bare copyrights They will keep trying to Inter
national Copyright as a stalking horse for the sale
of British paper and British print in tho United
States. By this they stir up sleeping lions. the
American printers and statiOners; and ask greae
nation to foregO its general policy to favor foreign
clique.
told Mr.. Disraeli, and tell you, that these pub
fishers are children crying for the MOON 1t is blind
and childish egotism to go to the most Protectionist
nation existing, and ask it not only to leave of steal
ing copyright, which is purely incorpOreal property.
but also to withdraw protection from its own mate
rial produce and so abandon its whole system.
am the publishers friend for l try to hinder him
from running his head against stone wall. If he
will take his best friends ADVICE and hold entirely
aoof OF muzzle his mania for selling paper and
print to nation that will not stand it, the American
and British authors working in concert, will get i'll
ternational copyright for themselves, but
really for the British and American publishers.
As to the American publishers, / never said ono
word against them. Why should II They are not
in one mind. Some Of them advocate international
copyright and free trade to boot which is not only
Just but exceptionally generous. Others offer inter-
national copyright on condition that tho British
authors ideas shall be printed and papered in the
United States, and the American authors ideas DO
printed and papered in Great Britain Nothing can
be farcr Even those American publishers who oppose
international copyright any terms alleviate their
refusal by paying large of money for early sheets
to British authors. myself included, and am OH OK.
cellent terms with them ALL
The leading publishers Of the United States have
earned my friendship and it is in the character of
friend will now give them piece of advice which
is worth several million dollars to them.
INTERNATIONAL CorYRICHT, AND A PLACE. OF
BUSINESS IN LoNDoN. that is the great game Of an
American publisher. The British authors American
rights are bugbear. Either they would DO worth
much or little. If much, all tho better for the
American publisher since no COLD always buy Thorn
in Flcet-st and Wall-st. for half their value.
London MAY q, 1915 CHARLES READA
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MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.