Copyright: Its History and Its LawBowker, R. R. (Richard Rogers)
History
Copyright: Its History and Its Law
Bowker, R. R. (Richard Rogers)
Copyright -- History; Copyright -- United States -- History
The statutory formalities of copyright in other countries vary greatly.
In Great Britain copyright has been secured by first (or simultaneous)
publication within the British dominions or under the "international
copyright act." The law provided that a copy of the best edition of a
book must be deposited in the British Museum, this giving basis for
proof of publication, which deposit must be made within one month after
publication if published within London, three months elsewhere in the
United Kingdom, and one year in other parts of the British dominions;
the failure to deposit did not forfeit copyright, but involved a fine;
but under the international copyright provisions, deposit in the British
Museum of a colonial or foreign work was not required, though useful as
_prima facie_ evidence of publication. Four other copies of domestic
books must be supplied to the universities of Oxford, Cambridge,
Edinburgh and Dublin if demanded within twelve months from publication.
Registration at Stationers' Hall was necessary for books only as a
prerequisite to an action at law against infringement, but was
obligatory in the case of paintings, drawings and photographs. Copyright
notice on a book was not required except to reserve the right of
representation of a dramatic work, etc., though it has been customary
for English publishers to print the phrase "All rights reserved" as the
equivalent to the copyright notice. But copyright notice was required to
protect sculpture, engravings and musical compositions and in respect to
oral lectures.
{Sidenote: The new British code}
The new British code bases copyright for all published works on first
publication within "the parts of His Majesty's dominions to which this
Act extends" or as provided for in colonial or international
arrangements--copyright of unpublished works depending upon British
citizenship or residence at the time of making. Delivery of copies to
the British Museum and on demand to the other libraries is required from
the publisher of every book published in the United Kingdom, but on
penalty of five pounds and the value of the book and not of forfeiture
of copyright. The National Library of Wales is entitled to a sixth copy,
in prescribed classes of books. Registration is no longer made a
condition or circumstance of copyright.
Most of the British colonies have followed the precedent of the mother
country, with slight variation, in their domestic legislation. Canada
and Newfoundland, following the precedent of the United States, require
copyright notice in statutory form.
{Sidenote: Other countries}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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