New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-29
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
A LETTER FROM G.. p. LATHROP.
Z ER1Lnr ~ The TribMnc

| TO me Edttor Of The Tribune.
| SIR: McsSrs. Robert Brothers, Boston, pub
lisher in a note which you recently printed. contend
that contrary 10 "a statement made by me, American an
thors may obtain English copyright by first publication
I'm Great Britain II resident within the British
domuions have leisure To discuss all the points
raised by various opponents of international copyright
who. while protesting favor IT, have unthtngly
abocd to throw the whole question into coniusion and
Mcssrs Roberts Brothers otherwise pOutcss note ranks
those gentlemen among such opponents. But II should
be pointed out that their statement IS quite misleading
Mr. T. :. Drone. whose authority is undisputed pub
shcd his work copyright in 1870 and in It he gives
Jcncrys Boo-cy a II. L. c. $50 the ruling All
thOrity upon the nonresident foreigners light in Great
Britain. on the trial Of that case the House OF Lords
to DrOnes language" in pronounong the most i'm
portant copyright decision Lord Mans1eds time
held that English copyright would not vest in the work
of foreign author resident abroad" doubt the
rec.ness Of Mcssrs. Roberts Brothers intmaton that
supposed English copyrights obtained by American
authors not within the British dominons ut the time Of
first publication have been disputed. One thing is
perfectly certain many American authors can attest
VIZ, that foreigners claim So copyright by mere prior
publication is still considered open TO question in Eng
land that English publishers make it standing and
very ofectua for Offering the lowest terms
terms at ALL to American euthOrs who publish first In
England, but not at the time English territory.
Again If under the Messrs. Roberts rosoac view
cure copyright in England by simple prior publication,
Cor for that matter even by sOjourn on British
grOund il has been settled that he cannot thus obtain
Canadian copyright; and the injury to which he is ex
posed by Canadian reprints Struggled the border
Is often very great AT the very BEST the obligation TO
publish FIRST in England creates an Inconvenience so
great ss 70 prevent in many cases any attempt Mt scc
ing copyright there. The American dranast, also. is
obliged TO go to great expense IN order TO get his work
performed first In England Intelligent persons ought To
bc ashamed to rcerac the shabby and nsinccre
ton that American authors are already well enough pro
NldCd for in England.
Another correspondent Consistency" asks why
American authors do not press upon Congress the rights
OF foreign authors UnCDndHOndy2 The only country,
believe, which grants such rights Internationally Is
Spain. While the policy Of all other European States
continues to rest principle OF reciprocity IL Is almost
too sangne 10 expect that this country VIII follow the
example OF Spain. The American Copyright League now
comprising $50 members. and adequately representing
American authorship has supported Mr.. Dorsheimers
hill because IL Is the arest justct and most enlightened
available at the present time and is the only
Which, in the whole fifty years history OF the mtor
natona! copyright discussion has got far as to
obtain place Oh the House calendar Very respect
fully. G. L. LNHRof
Secretary American Copyright League.