New-York tribune., 1912-02-28
TO FIGHT PLAY PIRATES
Writers and Managers to Make
War on Moving Picture Men.
BILL IN CONGRESS
Will Also Send Delegation to
Canada to Urge Proper Copy
right Protection There.


Men who write plays and men Who pro-
duce plays met yesterday in secret ses-
sion at the Hotel Astor- to plan war on the
moving picture men. Their special war
fare this time is TO be directed against the
efforts of the picture men to, obtain an
amendment to the. copyright laws which
will practically exempt moving picture
plays from. The: penalties now-visted upon
plagiarism and play piracy.
Representatives from the National Asso-
citation of Theatrical Producing Managers.
the Society of American Dramstists and
Composers, the New York City Theatre
Managers Association and the National
Theatre Owners Association were present
Yesterday to start the campaign going.
Augustus Thomas, the playwright was
elected chairman Of the meeting.
You are familiar with the effort IF the
moving picture men to amend the copy
right laws he said. In eXplsining the pur-
pose of the gathering. The law rs it
stands at present provides for a penalty Of
500 for the first infringement OF a COPY
right and $50 for each subsequent infringe
ment till maximum Of 5000 is reached.
The Townsend bill now before a committee
Of Congress makes an exception for NOV
ing picture men who steal our plots This
bill provides that they shall be liable only
TO penalty OF 500 for the first offence
and that is all. There will be a hearing on
This hill in Washington on March t3.
That is the chance for authors, managers
and producers TO appear and protect their
interests. This joint meeting was called
for the purpose OF considering what action
should be taken. What Is your pleasure?"
II was the pleasure OF the assembled rep
! resentatives TO adopt formal resolution
providing for the sending Of delegation
| 10 Washington to fight the Townsend bill
Then William A. Brady moved that the
meeting go into executive session, as It
was desired to take up certain matters
| that the public might not understand" I"
This lack OF faith In the public under
standing was forthwith put into effect and
the doors were closed against all but dele
gates.
Behind those doors. Il was said after
ward, the situation was discussed in more
vigorous tones than had been used In the
| open meeting. and such harsh expressions
as "legalized play thievery" and ''rIination
| of legitimate dramatic interests" were
/ used
Another matter that was brought up was
the situation in Canada It was argued
| that the Canadian territory was fast be-
! coming one of the most lucrative fields for
companies on circuit, yet there were no
laws in the Dominion giving copyright
| protection to plays, for the word "dra-
! matte was left out of the statutes.
| So the fight there will not be against
moving picture men alone, but against all
kinds OF play pirates" who are making
| unauthorized use OF entire American PLAYS.
| 1t was announced thar Joint committee
! from the four organizations represented
| yesterday would 20 to Canada shortly to
confer with the Canadian copyright Of
hosls for the purpose OF obtaining lesis-
lstion giving protection to plays through
! out the Dominion.