Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-27
DAWN OF LITERARY FREEDOM
Hay Addresses Austin on the Benefits of
New Copyright Law.
BRIT0NS RECEIVE VALUABLE PRIVILEGES
Statute is Step in Direction of Secur-
ing Both Liberty and Protection
and is Considered "A Laudable
and Benefcent Act.
BRITONS RECEIVE VALUABLE PRIVILEGES

WASHINGTON. May 26-some time ago
Sir Alfred Austin, Great Britain's poet
laureate addressed an extended note to Sec
retary OF State Hay the subject of in
ternational copyright, and pointed out some
OF the imperfections that exist under the
present law. Secretary Hay has addressed
the following reply to Mr.. Austin:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHING
TON, d. c., May %, 1S99.-My Dear Mr.
Austin: / owe you many apologies for my
delay in answering your letter, of which l
am ashamed to give the date l think
you would pardon me If you knew how my
time has been occupied. Even now | shall
not attempt to write a letter like yours
Long before it reached my hands it had
been read with enjoyment wherever there
are readers who care for good thoughts ex-
pressed in perfect English | cannot vie
with you in such a competition. Nor can |
discuss the subject of copyright with any
such authority as you possess The laurel
you bear makes you the dean of contem-
porary English literature. My place in the
world of letters Is too inconsiderable to
give me any title to speak for American
authors and the position ! hold for the mo-
ment in the government not only confers
no power over legislation, but even restricts
to some extent that liberty of criticism and
suggestion which would be my right as a
private citizen.
l am, however, as you assure me, greatly
interested in the subject of international
copyright. / sympathized, and, to the ex-
tent of my ability, | co-operated with the
efforts of men more energetic and capable
than myself to reform our Objectionable
copyright system and to have the present
arrangement enacted into law. There
were many interests opposed to it,
and it required no little patience and care
to bring together the different groups of
opinion favorable to the principle involved.
/ he a &
body wanted but it was the only settlement
within reach, and 1t was in itself, | venture
to say, if not perfect in all its provisions, a
most laudable and benefcent act. Its good
effects have surpassed the expectations OF its
friends.
From inquiries l have recently made l am
led to believe that the operation of the law
has not profted American publishers to
anything like the extent they deserves and,
while it has certainly been advantage
it's chief benehciaries. English writer's
have profited largely by the protection
offered them, and English publishers have
reaped great advantage by establishing
branch offices in this country which have
enabled them to handle their English busi-
ness at inconsiderable expense and TO ex-
tend their profitable operations here
Law Extended TO Art Productions.
1t is not in its application to pure litera-
ture alone that our law OF copyright ought
TO be Judged In the department of art II
affords absolutely perfect security to pro-
ducers, all rights in paintings, etc, etch-
ings, drawings, sculpture and architectural
plans being reserved by simple registry at
a nominal fee, The same Is true of musical
works of all sorts Recent legal decisions
| have taken the highest ground following
| the purpose of the trainers Of the law in
affording to music the most liberal protec-
| tion.
Dramatic works also receive the most am
Pile security. They are better protected,
! | am informed, than even in England. 1t
| is in the matter of the manufacture OF
books alone that the complaint OF the En-