New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-09
CANADIAN COPYRIGHT. -

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: / venture to think that the, honorable SEQ
rotary Of the Canadian Copyright Association has
been dill -advised when he sought through your col.
umns to commend the superior Lberality OF Ca
madam. legislation on copyright as 1t affects Eag-
lish rights, and, indirectly, American Interests
Liberal the legislation Of Canada might well be
on this subject when It treats so heedlessiy tho
interests both sides OF the Atlantic which.
since 1851. have been so happily and righteousy
protected. and when the colony assumes a right
to which It has no claim on moral grounds, even
II we concede the legal right, which is doubtful and
more than doubtful the argument. from expediency.
When say this I am, OF course. not unmindfu
Of my own contention. during many years resi-
dence in Canada, for permission. as matter botn
OF Justice and expediency to deal with the subject
OF copyright IN Canada Independently OF Imperial
restrictions. But throughout my adve icy or the
then reasonable claims OF the colony neither nor
those who worked with me dreamed OF maintain
ing fight day beyond the passing in Com
gress-then remote. and improbable contingency
of international treaty on the subject Our
MAN, II not sole, contention was to shut out
from what book market there was in Canada pratt
cal American reprints In favor OF authorized native
ones. so far as the always limited field In the Eng
disappearing provinces in the Dominion would
justify these being undertaken. With the passing
Of reciprocal copyright between the United states
and England, our work and arguments. OF
course ended. Now. however. the agitation has
been taken up by new men and on new grounds.
and in my judgment, wholly without the mora
argument which gave support to the earlier con-
tention The present agitation cannot but TANK
a most mischievous one and fraught with calen,-
tous consequences to the world of letters on both
II is without a shadow of honest Justification. since
it's argument for the employment OF native industry
and concern for the interest OF Canadian readers
be effectually met by other and more iawiu
means Moreover the act allowed, II would
/ am sure. prove deusive 10 the English author or
copyright owner for the limited market would ee
glutted by six months operations. 10 tie serious
impairment OF the financial resources Of every pup
fishing printing house in the Dominion
Mr.. Lancefeld speaks assuringly when ne say
that you need be uneasy al the prospect OK
being flooded with cheap Canadian reprints; ara
yet, In almost the sentence. he tells you tnat
the Governments of the two countries nave Desn
called upon TO protect interests which are even
already peril from unauthorized reprintins IN
Canada. He speaks also, with a IKE commence;
OF Canadas prescriptive right-lndeed us esA
right under the Confederation act-to leglslate on
the subject OF copyright. In my day in Canada We
were not so cocksure the matter. The f.ght
given TO Canada by the British North Amer'ca
act we submissvely interpreted as referring soiey
TO native copyright. IL Mr. Lapcefed, however,
correct what Is the effect OF the rider appenueu
to all Imperial acts, which makes ultra wires any
colonial legislation inimcal 10 British interests. ana
why retain in the colony a Governor-Generai ono
OF whose important functions is TO reserve douD'-
fu legislation for Imperial concurrence! ,.
New-York August T. G. MERCER ADAM