New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-14
THE COPYRIGHT Law.
VIEWS OF ENGLISH PUBLISHERS.
LITTLE EFFECT YET NoTIoEABLD-DEvELoP.
MENTS EXPECTED UNDER THE ACT

LITTLE EFFECT YET NoTICEABLD-DEvELoP.
MENTs EXPECTED UNDER THE ACT.
London, Dec. 13.-A series OF interviews with the
heads of the great publishing firms here under
taken by the Associated Press, with view to
tanning what effect the American Copyright law was
producing Herewith presented the opinions Of
those whose views are based upon practical knowledge
and experience.
Cassell & Co.'s manager in response to the query,
Is the act causing any notable alteration in the
rangements of the AngloAmercan publishers" said
Not much. Several OF the American publishers have
opened branch houses here but do not hear Of many
English houses having invaded New-York lately.'
"Do you know Of any movement among American
houses menacng, as at one time predicted the English
printer and paper tradesf'
NO. The cost OF composition In America is more
than double what 1t is here consequently 1t not
pay to get 1t done in America. l have not heard of
any disturbance In the paper trade. We anticipate
considerable developments under the act, and have
therefore arranged for the production Of series Of
international copyright novels The most striking sign
so far is the stimulating of prices asked by authors
both Sides but this will find its level quickly enough
The main gain ought to be the cheapenng Of good liter
ature In both countries This will result gradually, but
surely
Chatto & windus's manager said: little altera-
ton is yet noticeable in the arrangements Of
the Anglo-American publishers. American publish
efS are, perhaps, showing greater acuVlty LII
producing the works OF American authors, and In
offering stereotype plates of such works for sale in the
English market. 1t is certainly most desirable that
some change in the direction of the proposal OF the
Literary Conference at Neuchatel should be made
Instead OF delay Of six months being granted for re-
production, there ought to be twelve months As to
the question whether the act is proving stimulus to
literary effort, it appears far to stimulate Amer
can authors chiefly"
Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. say {:
"The act is causing alteration in arrangements
We have never heard Of any movement among Ameri-
can houses menacing the English printing and paper
trades and do not think that any such movement ex
ists We do not think the effects of the act upon the
book trade likely TO be important is generally
supposed one would think that the act will simply
affect popular literature of the class which influences
the million and is read by the milllon-leraturc for
which people would pay shilling If they cannot get
it for nothing In the class of literature which does
not appeal to the million, and which is more costly TO
produce, do not think that any question of copy
right is likely to arise"
Fisher Unwn, the English publisher OF "The Cen
tury," and Of numerous other Works. holds that the
act has not yet had any important influence on the
book trade. His firm is arranging to publish several
books under the act but at present cannot give the
names OF them. American clches, he said, would
certainly not be chiefly used in the production Of In
teInational editions
The agent of one of the largest American publish
ing companies, whose magazine circuates largely in
England said: "The act is not effectlng any change
in the commercial relations OF The English and Amer
houses. There is no movement among American
printers likely 10 injure English houses. IL Is 100
yet TO say what the efoct Of the act will be in
put American effort and En- gish effort little
level terms as to price"