New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-16
THE COPYRIGHT BILL.

. LETTER FROM EDMUND c. sTEDMAN on THE
ONE YEAR CLAUSE.
70 the EdftOr OF The Trt6HHe.
SIR. In common with my brother authors
nave observed pleasure the new departure Of our
nubisLers in regard to International Copyright, and
what you term their unanimous sentiment III favor OF
the Dorsheimer bill" For until the full text OF that bill
ap,earcd had supposed that it would provide as now
amended the measure for Of which our native liter
ary progress has been greatly retarded
lint section 8" Of the amended bill, II I rightly
understand IT, to contain the worst feature Of the
called Harper Treaty OF 1880 and OF Other plans
heretofore favored by many publishers That section is
given follows:
section s. THAT no citizen of any foreign country
shall be entitled TO copyright for amy book
s OF dr' hsTe beeu published nor for any
dramatic composition which shall have been publicly
ea,o has been De Jor copy (ste) 1eeot pursuant to
Tie provisions OF this act
Now Is not this the same old time limitation IN a
less malignant form The Messrs. Harper II remem-
her mt we're willing TO allow the foreign author three
1oouts in which 70 obtain American publisher; the
Philadelphia houses proposed still shorter term OF
grace; while Mr. Haven Putnam whose hOnored father
was lifelong advocate OF true International Copyright
was willing to accept six-months restIlcton' but
thought the foreign autho- really entitled to- year or
grAce-the term. in fact TO which he is restricted by
section s." Mr.. Holt although be signed the Harper
circular gwen In his recent letters has been
liberal and outspoken promoter OF International Copy
rgnt, and simple during the whole OF mis-
For reason this peculiar restriction TO be
the thing hearts American publishers:
IL who have friendly to Copyright
Reform, and Is the Last ditch which those who have
opposed MS will surrender. Here hnd II, even
smuggled INTO Dir. DOrsheimer's admirable DOWNRIGHT
measure for which all Just now 80 grateful TO him
and which, 1t passes without this vitistug clause may
cause his name DO remembered long a. that of
Rowland Hill.
After the signatures obtained OF few prominent
writers friendly certain great houses It not dbl
cult 10 induce elderly and eminent writers append
their names 10 the Harper circular under the belief
enOrt was making behalf Of genuine reform. de-
olped 10 sign IL for the folio wing reason. namely:
That the restriction OF term. In which the foreign
author bound publish ia this country would cu
oil large class OF the most important writers and the
WORKS from AL advantage under the Treatyi that mel
like spencer. Darwin Tennyson, Wordsworth, Emerson
wLittierin snort the greatest writers think
ers whose work In advance Of the time for
other reasons Immediately popular" and yet should
attefward become sOwould md themselves precluded
from any returns books which they not been able
10 bring out In two countries outset All such
books II III tune popular demand for them should arise
woald be open 10 piracy.
Is true now that the Dorsheimer bill requires only
the application for copyright to be made within
year from publication In a foreign country. But the
the principle that application
10 be legally effective must be In good faith with intent
30 speedy publication
Seeing that this clause Dullifed most essential por
ton Of Copyrights Reform, would not sign the Harper
rcalar greatly esteemed the unoeasing friendship
taa generous hospitality Of IL HrosetsEA wrote V