The Washington herald., 1907-03-03
PUCCINI TALKSON COPYRIGHTS
How the italian Courts Protect all
Composers.
Hopes America VIII Join Hands in
Suppression of Musical
Piracy.

Correspondence Of The Washington Herald.
New York March 2.-SignOr Giac0mo
Puccini, composer Of Ia Boheme, 3"
"TOsca, Mime. Butterfly" and other
operas, who IS recognized as the leading
composer of modern italian operas. while
in this country viewing the American pro-
ductions Of his works, became much in
terested in the proposed revision of our
copyright laws. Naturally. he became
especially interested I'm the controversy
over the question Of extending protection
10 composers against unauthorized repro
ducton Of their music by mechanical
means. Accordingly. waving his rule
against interviews. SignOr Puccini talked
interestingly on the copyright question.
Since Italy was one Of the first countries
in the world to extend its copyright laws
so as to cover the reproduction Of music
by monographs, pianolas. and other me-
Chanical devices. and since, by the pro
visions Of the international copyright law.
u extends the same protection 10 Ameri-
can as 90 the native Italian composers,
probably pending reciprocal legislation.
Sign0r PuccinTs remarks on the subject
are of Importance and timeliness. Signor
Puccini said,
1T III becomes a guest Of your great
and generous country who is not CONVEX
SAINT with your system Of legislation 20
criticise your Institutions or offer gratui-
tous advice as to your methods Of govern
ment. Still realizing the old maxim,
when IN Rome DO as the Romans do.
as I am in America, I must either answer
questions or ask them in self-defense.
During my present visit 20 the United
States, where ] have been shOweTed with
hOnOTS and attentions far in excess Of
either my expectations or deserts. 1 have
been repeatedly cdtechised q 10 the copy
right laws Of my own country, and re-
quested TO compare them with those Of
America. This I have always declined 10
do for the reasons above indicated. al
though I believe that the interest mani
tested In this subject has been stimulated
by the discussion of new copyright legis-
lati0n in your Congress, and indicates
merely "a general desire 70 gain all the
information possible thereon, with a view
not merely to following, but leading, in
the movement toward fostering the intel
lectual arts so that they may keep pace
with the mechanical In no respect are
the relations between my country and
yours closer or more cordial than IN this
line of artistic culture. While America
has made gigantic strides in the field of
mechanics, 10 no foreign country does the
Italian artist sculptor, or composer look
more confidently Tor prompt appreciation Of
and generous reward for his artistic crea-
tons. Nevertheless. I am inclined TO be
rather proud of the fact that my country
Is among the first I'm the world TO extend
10 composers the right Of controlling the
reproduction Of their works by means OF
any and all the modern mechanical musi-
cal instruments. including the photograph.
OF course, when our copyright laws were
promulgated. no such means Of reprOduc-
ing sound waves was dreamed Of But
italian courts have held that monographs
are within the copyright law, on the broad
principle that the originator is entitled 70
the use and control of his mental crea-
tons regardless of the means whereby
they are reproduced for the benefit OF the
public.
Personally, am glad that the first in
PRODUCTION to America OF my compositions
was not through the limited medium Of
Otherwise I fear that 1
would not be as welcome as I am appar-
emily. And II the music-bOx manUfactur-
ers desire TO reproduce my melodies IL
seems to me that I should have the same
liberty of selecting the medium and the
method by which they shall be transmit
ted to the public as ] have in choosing the
managers and theaters to produce my
operas Furthermore. while I am heartily
glad 70 note that eminent interpreters of
my music, including fellow-countrymen
such az SignOTS CaruSO and Scott, are not
only paid princely hOnOrariums for render
ing solos from my operas into phonO-
graphs, but are also allowed liberal royal
ties on the sale of those records, il seems
strangely inconsistent that the composer
of those very themes should not be grant
ed the slightest pecuniary recognition To
make this situation still more absurd. /
these records are so protected by patent
that were I TO make a duplicate record /
Of my own compositions, for which I have
never granted them any right, these same
might have cause for legal
action against me for infringement.
Unlike operate managers who produce |
and publishers who publish musical /
works the manufacturers Of these devices
exercise no productive effort or stimulate
Or encourage original work in musical !
which they exploit for their /
own gain. 1t is remarkable to note that |
not a single composer is on the pay roll /
Of any Of the manufacturers, although /
the capitalization Of some of Il e COM /
Danies extends to the millions. and with /
put whose compositions the records and /
rolls would have absolutely no CONNER |
cial value.
The manufacturers wait until the man. /
ayers and publishers have spent large |
sums Of money in producing, prOmulgat- /
ng. and making popular the music of an /
,pera, then it becomes useful and valuable /
'or the mechanical reprCducsrs. This is
Unjust discrimination rs against the pub /
ishers and the producer, who are obliged |
70 pay royalties, while the manufacture /
s exempt.
I am sure that the American people. /
Who are firm believers in the principle Of /
Justice. equity. and square dealing. viii /
DIN hands with Italy in the suppression /
# this form of musical piracy"