The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-01
No Quarter for Theatrical Pirates.

LETTER FROM GILBERT AND SULLIvAN--HOw
THEY MEAN TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS.
The following letter Is published in the
New York Tribune:
Sir,-We have received Information that
several INSCRIPTIONS managers.are prepar-
ing TO invade our rights in the opera "The
Pirates Of PenZance," and that more than
one company Is already engaged in privately
rehearsing it. AS a matter OF course, we
have instructed our legal advisers to take
whatever steps may be necessary to restrain
these contemplated performances, and in the
mean time, as considerable misapprehensi0n
appears 10 exist rs to the exact nature Of an
alien authors right in his manuscript play,
1t may be interesting to managers. authors,
and play.goers to know the state Of the law
on the subject as set forth In "Drone on
Copy right" the leading recognized author
ity on all matters relating to the law Of pro-
perry in intellectual productions. Here the
law Is euoted.]
So much for the legal aspect of the case.
We have quoted these paragraphs 10 show
that we make no sentimental appeal 20 the
sympathies Of American play-soers. Under
the common law OF this country we have as
distinct property in our manuscript play
as we have In our Observation-Disclosures
are assured by those who are we'll acquaint-
ed with such matters that at least hundred
country managers aud orchestral leaders are
at the present moment in New York with
the avowed object OF pirating our play.
We have seen them night after night stand.
ing behind the stalls OF the Fiftb-Ayeuue
Tseatre busily engaged in putting down
words, music, and "busness.o There
Is no need TO beat about the bush to
describe these men. They are simply
thieves, who trust for immunity 10 the laws
delay, TO our presumed unwillingness to
throw good money after bad, and TO the fact
that we are shortly to return to England
This trust viii fail thea. BE they men OF
substance or men OF straw, we Will fight
each individual case on its own merits, and
We win comeover here year after year to dc
90 until the offence Is stamped out. We
have q great stake at issSe-so great stake
that 1t Is well worth our while TO spend
m&ich time and much money In securing OIL
legitimate rights. We feel convinced tina,
these theatrical bighwaynen will meet with
no SYMPATHY at she handsof the law abiding
plsy-aoefs Of this country. We feel con.
vineed.that--4let 1t be clearly known that O
performance OF ocr play Is given dishonesty
and with the intention N depriying us
OF tbe legitimate product OF our hard
work and technical experieace--that pai:-
formnnce WILL be kissed OF che stage, aud
we hsye agents tbroughoW the country
who will give timely notice to us and 10
local newspapers OF any conteea plated inva-
sion Of our rights. The audiences that at
tend such performances are, Of course, at
liberty 10 applaud theE II they please TO do
90, but We will at least take care that before
they enter the tteatIe II shall be made quite
clear 10 them that the performance they are
about witness ~ the proceeds Of deliberate
robbery; that the words end music. stolen
BIZ by BIT. and pIeced together as the in
geknity or ineapaeity OF the thief msy sug-
Rest, can be, at best, but an imperfect
eche Of our own work; that Mr.. UOyly
Carte, with whom we have entered into a
contract. giving him the sole right to per-
form the "PIrates OF Pepzaneev In tue
United States, has made arrangements 10
visit every theatrical t,wn In the United
States With four companies authorized and
yehesrsed by US, and II pisy-goers care 10
So The piece " IL was written and stage
nana9ed By ~. they will. sooner or later,
have m opportunity Of doing 80. We are,
sir. Jour obcixest servants,
W. ;. GILBERT.
Arthur SULLIVAN.