Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
Authors Hope for New
Copyright Legislation
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

Hundreds of millions Of dollars in the
publishing business, the stage and radio
broadcasting are involved in the pro-
visions of the Vestal copyright bill
which was passed by the House of Rep
resentatives last week, with prospects
of reaching an early vote in the Senate.
Authors, playwrights, artists and COM
posers already are hailing victory as the
elimination of 20 years Of struggle for
such legal recognition which will give
them protection both at home and
abroad.
The bill amends the Federal act of
March 4, 1909, so as to grant automatic
copyright protection to the creators
not the exploiters-of artistic and lit
erary works. In fact, it puts artistic
property, as far as possible, on the same
basis as any other property. 1t would
become effective Immediately and would
protect the author or composer during
his entire lifetime and for so years
thereafter. 1t also permits him to "di-
vide his rights, so that he himself can
deal with magazine editors, book pub
fishers, stage producers and movie"
concerns.
Last, but not least, it provides for the
entrance of the United States into the
International Copyright Union, through
its extension of privileges to foreign
artists, authors and composers. In re-
turn for this, American artists and
writer's would obtain protection in the
more than 40 countries which are now
members Of the union. Russia and
China are the only important countries
which have not already taken steps
similar to those proposed for the United
States.
Ever since 1887, when the copyright
union was established, efforts have been
made to secure the entrance of the
United States, and many bills have been
introduced in Congress with that end
in view. The law replaced by the Vestal
act was adopted more than 20 years
ago. Since then many new trade prac-
tees have sprung up, as well as new
mediums of expression, like the movies,
the talkies, radio and others. 1t has
been commended that the commercial
exploitation of copyrightable material
has become the basis of many expand
ing industries and that, under the old
law, the author and artist has been
under serious disadvantages.
One Of the most important provisions
of the new legislation is that it es-
tablishes the right Immediately upon
the creation of the work. There are, to
ton and records, but only as a matter
of proof. Once having established his
right, it belongs to the author or artist
during his lifetime and for half CEN
fury afterward.
Another pending bill introduced by
Representative VeStal provides for
transfer from the Patent Office to the
Copyright ONCE of the registration of
designs. This was called for by manu-
facturers both at home and abroad,
who have found the present system
very unsatisfactory. 1t is claimed that
in many cases not only domestic, but
also foreign designs, copied entirely or
partially in the United States, were in
Engagements Of such designs and that
often afterward these originals could
not secure protection, owing to delays
in the Patent Office procedure, until
their seasonal value had been lost.
A decision by the United States Su-
preme Court recently holding that
income royalties from the licensing of
copyrights may be included in the basis
of the New York corporate franchise
act indicates some of the ramifications
of the vast interests in copyright which
will be affected by the proposed new
Federal legislation.
(Copyright, 1917