The Washington times., 1914-07-14
Seeks Protection
OfAuthors' Rights
The League of American Pen Women Is Behind the
Pierce Bill to Amend the Copyright Laws of
the United States.

vague, but in the literary mind such
rights are clearly defined, especial
ly those that have been established
by long precedent in all business
transactions between the writer.
and respectable publisher.
In such transactions II Is clearly
understood that would be breach
of professional honor were a pub
Usher CT purchaser to, distort the
work in anyway, to fail to give
credit for the product of Its author;
to give credit to some other. or
claim 1t as his own intellectual
work. Any infringement Of these
rules would be considered infamous
Literary Pirates.
Yet, despite this professional un-
derstafding authors have suffered
time and again, and are still suf-
feripg. at the hands of literary pi-
rates who ply their vile trade with
rascally impudence, because no pen
atty in certain cases need be .ap-
pretended.
The painter is In better hands than
the writer. The purchaser of q paint
name of the artist from the work
would be treated with scorn. and
one who would transcribe his own
name in place of that of the artist
would be considered beneath con-
tempt, II being held everywhere that
the purchaser of a painting does not
with the prise paid purchase the
duction to the artist. This under
standing Is deemed perfectly just to
both parties.
Copyright Laws Inadequate.
The writer oftentimes meets with
shameful treatment at the hands of
the purchaser. Although the code Of
honor is quite well known In literary
business transactions IL IL too often
a dead letter; Too often the writer
having sold his product in good faith
has the chagrin to see that same
work appear. with some other name
attached.
OF course. the copyright laws are
effective. and forestall encroachment,
but they would seem impotent when
applied to certain cases
Because this evil exists the League
of American Pen Women. with head
quarters In the District. has resolved
to do everything possible to put
down this great injustice
The league. members wish all
literary people. including the press,
Origin of Movement.
The particular case which aroused
the League of American Pen wom-
en- to take action Is that of Miss
Grace Adele Pierce. of Santa Monica,
Cal, who wrote the great photo
drama Judith of Bethulis." After
the author had sold 1t to a publisher
the oriEinator's name was oblitera-'
ted, and that of another substituted.
Miss Pierce is member of the
league, and Is identified with a num-
Der OF clubs. The omitting Of Grace
Adele Pierce's name from her pop
ular photo play gave rise to the
movement Of authors rights.
Scores of clubs are joining In the
campaign.
An extract from a publication
says in. this connection that.
The movement promises to be
one OF the greatest in the journal
ism of the day. The clause intro
duced by this writer is for an
amendment In copyright law which
will give oppoi tunity for an 'Au-
thor's contract 1t also calls for
the publication Of the authors name
with photoplays and drama"
This bill, known as the Pierce
bill, is framed by the league for
the amendment OF copyright laws.
1t is encouraging to know that 9TH
er States are cooperating in this
movement" -.