The New York herald., 1879-08-29
LONDON LETTER.
Copyright Agitation at the
Law Congress.
WRANGLING HOME RULERS.
A Prince imperial Drama Which is Ex-
citing the Critics.
LONDON. August IL. 1879.

LONDON, August IL, 1879.
Some public questions of international interest
have been discussed in England during the past
week. chief among which is international copyright
which was the subject Of paper read by Professor
Leone Levi at the Conference of the Association for
the Reform and Codihcation of the Laws OF Ma
tions-an organization which may be expected to ac-
complish miracles if its influence proves proper
tionate its imposing title Among the large num-
Der of gentlemen attending this conference are D. H.
Puleston. NJ. p. Judge Phillimore. the entire Chi
nese Legation. Sir TraYers Twiss General Grant
Wilson, New York; the Hon. John jay. New York;
Philip Garrett. Mr.. Hurst of the Baltimore Chamber
of Commerce; Mr.. Rugges. of the New York Cham
ber of Commerce. and several other Americans,
while there also delegates from most OF the Eu-
ropean States.
Professor Levi said it scarcely beatted any civil
lied State to declare that the rights OF an author
should pe limited to the narrow boundaries of his
own nationality. Our courts OF justice were open
foreigners and natives alike and it was only just
and fair that any possessing literary property
in his own work in England should be able to fol-
low and prosecute the invader of that property in
any quarter of the world. Not 10 recognize such
right vandalism and piracy which no State
should permit. The United States denied the right
of foreign author to the exclusive control OF his
work beyond his own country, pleading that copy
right would enhance the cost of literature and
prove a barrier to the diffusion of learning in
their country The granting of an international
copyright might enhance the cost Of foreign litera
ture in small degree. but why should 1t not? In
the of countries using different language the
principle of international copyright had been hap
PLY all but universally accepted. but there still
restrictions to be removed if the rights Of foreign
authors to be fully recognized. Why should
author be required to send copy of his work to-
and to have it registered n every country where he
wished to secure his copyright? If he could estab-
lish his right in his own country that should be suf
hcent entitle him to protection for it in every
other. Ii they recognized copyright they must go
u step further and grant the author the full right
to supply and control the translation Of it il any
other language, and five years at least should be
allowed to elapse before the right of translation
should be considered as abandoned.
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES OF COPYRIGHT.
On the whole therefore, what was yet wanted with
regard to international copyright was this: The
tension of the principle i'll one way or another to
the United States. simplifcation of the mode of
curing copyright abroad, clearer recognition of the
right OF the author to the translation OF his work
and extension of the time for publication. The
purpose of treaty on the subject should be simply
to come to understanding to the means OF proof
of such right of property. The subject of nterna-
tional copyright was of the greatest Importance,
and he respectfully commended it to the earnestAt
tcntion of the association.
NJ. Clunet, of Paris. speaking in French said that
conclusions of Professor Levi were not yet recog-
nzcd in the United States, but he believed the op
position would yield gradually. While he pres
not long before alta literary congress in Paris,
of which Victor Hugo was president some author
zed delegates from America declared that they fully
appreciated the princI les OF established inter-
national copyright. He then moved q resolution
pressing the desirability OF general commission
being constituted by the different States OF Europe
Tor the purpose OF adopting "A uniform system Of
legislation as to the rights Of authors by national
convention and pledging the association to do all
influence IL
General Grant wilson, of New York then addressed
the meeting briefly stating that he had strong hopes
that before the emf of the the United States
ernment would come to definite understanding on
the subject. A discussion followed, i'll which Adj
mirai Selwyn. the Lion. John Jay and DR.. B. Van
Blokland took part. 1t was finally decided to refer
the resolution of M. Clunet to the Committee on
Copyright, which will make report on Friday.
ENGLISH COPYRIGHT BILL.
This debate reminds that the governments
bill for consolidating and amending the law of
copyright has just been issued. According to it the
author of book first published in Her Majes-
ty's domnons will be entitled to the copy
right throughout those domnions, whether he
Is a British subject not, or whether he is domi
cied resident Ill those dominions not With
regard to book first published of Her Majesty
donliniens the provision is that the author may
quire the copyright by republishing it in those
uoninions within three years from the first pubca-
iion, il, at the time of the first publication he
either British subject an alien domiciled Her
Majcstys doniinions. In this case the copyright
would date from the publication. The time
tor the duration Of the copyright is thus
lshed in the lifetime and under the name
OF the author the copyright would endure for
DEATH but for thirty years only from the the
first publication il the book be not published in the
authors true name or if it be published after his
death. With regard to what would constitute in
tringenent of the copyright, not only would it be
illegal to print copy OF the book without consent,
but to print an abrdgment translation of it,
TO draatize it by preparing adapting it for repre-
sentation the stage dramatic piece, to
drsmatized version OF it to be publicly performed
: II be akeno NJ
forfeiture incurred in respect of infringement OF
copyright until registration has been effected with
the Stationers Company.
NECESSITY OF REGISTRY
And to register. the proprietor must deliver to the
Registrar copy of the book, accompanied by veri-
fed statement showing the narne address and calling
OF the publisher and of the proprietor of copy
right, and the place and date of the first publication
Ii the authors true published the inent
must also inc(nde his name address and calling The
book thus delivered to the Registrar directed to be
sent on by him to the British Museum. Moreover,
1t is provided that the assignment OF q copyright be
Invalid unless it be registered and that every regis
tered proprietor shall have absolute power OF dispos
ing of the copyright, with the exception that 1t
lett open for rules to be made for caveats being
entered against any such disposition. These and
other rules tor the regulation of REGISTRATION to
be made by the Board of Trade, subject 20 the APP
prova Of Parliament. In the case OF any work pub
iished in series, 1t is provided for the copyright OF
the whole to belong to .he proprietor If he were
the author of the whole. when the parts have been
composed on the terms that the copyright in the
composition shall belong to the proprietor. This
rule Is however, subject to certain qualifications
among which is one which says that. except with
regard to an encyclopedia, the proprietor Of :he
copyright may not publish any OF the com positions
separately from the rest OF the book without the
consent OF the author. Aud after three years from
the first publication the right OF publishing the
composition separately would vest erclusIyely IA
the author.
BooKs PUBLISHED IN sKHrss.
The provisions OF the bin with respect 20 books
published in series are made ~ apply newspapers
regards original compositions of literary char
acter, but not AZ regards tile portion containing
ono OF tho provisions imposes no sn8agl
burden on the British Museum IN directing that
the publisher of newspaper must send copy ~
every number TO the Museum within u week u
publication With regard 20 lectures, IL IN pro.
vided that IL they be other than those delivered
ia university, public school, college public
foundation or by any person III virtue OF or accord
ing TO charity tho author is to be entitled to copy
Eight In ther. just as II they books. IL viii
not. however. he necessary 20 register lecture
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