The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-08-29

If the author be a citizen of one of the
foreign countries with which we have
/ copyright relations the fee is 81. For a
copy of such record, or copyright GER
tifcate," as ii is commonly called, the
. cost in both instances is 30 cents. with 10
cents additional fo~ an Internal revenue
stamp-thus making the total cost $l.lO
] for an American, end S1.6C for a foreigner.
Ii is not necessary to the validity of a
copyright 10 secure certificate In fact.
such certificate could only be of use when
the proprietor of a copyright desired legal
proof of his ownership, and it may be
procured at any subsequent time by the
payment of the prescribed fee.
During recent years the many questions
, arising in regard TO copyrights have re-
ceived considerable public attention. The
/ value OF the literary and artistic pro-
ductons of our citizens is constantly in
croasing; playwrights are looking care
fully into copyright law, and there is, in
consequence. feeling of respect for its
requirements which was quite unknown
in the nast
In view Of the small cost of securing a
copyright and the comparative simplicity
OF the requirements, il would seem both
easy and eXpedient for authors 10 care
fully attend to their copyrights before the
publication of their works. Tor copyright
must be procured not later than the day
of publication. If this is not done he
copyright is void, or, rather. there exists
no copyright, for the law says. mo per-
son shall be entitled to a copyright unless
he shall. on or before the lay OF puolica-
ton. in this or any foreign country" &c,
then follow the stipulations ami condi-
lions essential to procuring a copyright
1t will be readily seen thar the question
as 10 what constitutes pubIicatio within
the meaning of the statue, is nee ssarily
a very important one.
Question of Publication.
In regard to books the case IL cornpar-
auvely clear, for the Offering of the same
TO the public undoubtedly constitutes their
publication. Generally speaking this would
also be the case with maps, charts, en-
cravings, cuts, and prints. But 10 ira-
matte compositions which, IN most in
stances, are never printed, this rule would
hardly apply. The production OF a play
Tor profit would seem 10 be its puDlica-
tlon, but there are decisions Il be found
supporting the contrary view, III feet !
publication Of dramas within the meaning
OF the statute, is an open question The
same may be said of paintings, drawings.
and statuary. The use # the word pub
iicatlon IN connection With such articles .
Is indeed an unusual and perverted one.
The definition Of publication as given by
Webster Is, THE act OF Offering a book.
or writing, To the public ny sale OF bv
sratuitous distribution" Neither this
nor any Of the other definitions gwen.
could be said 10 apply TO a painting or a
piece OF statuaTy. However, the rule cf
of statutes Is Well kn-wn.
what Congress intended by the use of the
word publication" in this connection Is
the vital question, and the Individual viii
not find It difficult 10 keep well wisnin the
requirements Of the copyright Jaw IN this
particular
The question as 10 what articles are eli
sibIe 10 copyright is both pertinent and
To look hack 10 the list Of
articles previously enumerated would
seem the most natural thing 20 do. and
The task would be an easy one, II in reaI-
ty il ended there. What articles the law
includes, and what IL rejects by the use
0f the word book" for instance. is fair
example The mere fact thar a certain
article is commonly called 'Dcok"
does not necessarily mean taat il
IS book as intended BY tie eopv-
right statute; account. memor andum.
ana All forms OF blank books are not
oopyrishtabie; whereas "A dress pattern
Which vas necessary 10 .he intelligent
reading 81 printed directions. was he'd by
me courts 10 be a lawful subject for cow
right, as a part Of such text. tsaatise
" several hundred pages, and 4 rews-
paper cable dispatch OF three lines, would