The Internationalisation of Copyright Law: Books, Buccaneers and the Black Flag in the Nineteenth Century (Cambridge Intellectual Property and Information Law, Series Number 8)

Technological developments have shaped copyright law's development, and now the prospect of endless, effortless digital copying poses a significant challenge to modern copyright law. Many complain that copyright protection has burgeoned wildly, far beyond its original boundaries. Some have questioned whether copyright can survive the digital age. From a historical perspective, however, many of these "new" challenges are simply fresh presentations of familiar dilemmas. This book explores the history of international copyright law, and looks at how this history is relevant today. It focuses on international copyright during the nineteenth century, as it affected Europe, the British colonies (particularly Canada), America, and the UK. As we consider the reform of modern copyright law, nineteenth-century experiences offer highly relevant empirical evidence. Copyright law has proved itself robust and flexible over several centuries. If directed with vision, Seville argues, it can negotiate cyberspace. • A comprehensive account of nineteenth-century literary copyright law with important material contained in an accessible in a single volume • Shows relevance of historical material for contemporary law makers, which will enable readers to engage in the modern debate on copyright in the digital age • Sets the legal debates in historical context using primary sources Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Table of cases......Page 8 Table of statutes......Page 11 Abbreviations......Page 14 Archive sources......Page 15 Acknowledgements......Page 17 International copyright: gazing into cyberspace......Page 19 Synopsis and guidance......Page 24 Visions of copyright 1837–1911: coming full circle?......Page 26 The protection of literary property......Page 29 Copyright and contexts......Page 34 Foreign reprints: concerns and responses......Page 40 International initiatives: efforts towards a multi-lateral agreement......Page 42 The particular problems of Canada......Page 43 Early British demands for the protection of her copyright works......Page 46 Post-Bellum America: national calls for international copyright......Page 49 The quest for order amongst chaos......Page 54 The 1911 Actlooking back and looking forward......Page 57 Foreign reprints: the growing menace......Page 59 British copyright and foreign nationals......Page 63 First attempts to stem the tide......Page 65 The first bilateral treaties......Page 67 The Anglo-French treaty: the new deal......Page 69 The 1858 Brussels Congress: early calls for a uniform copyright law......Page 70 Bilateral agreements: the network expands......Page 72 French idealism: influence and pressure......Page 74 The 1878 Paris Congress......Page 76 First steps towards a Union of literary property: the Berne conferences 1883–6......Page 78 Britain's role in the creation of the Berne Union......Page 83 Britain's implementation of the Berne Convention: domestic and colonial problems......Page 87 The Additional Act of Paris 1896......Page 90 The Berlin revision 1908......Page 92 Britain and the Berlin Act: difficulties and colonial doubts......Page 94 The book trade in Canada – origins and development......Page 96 The ban on foreign reprints: early reactions......Page 97 Pressure for change: towards the 1847 Foreign Reprints Act......Page 102 The 1847 Foreign Reprints Act provides no solution to the problem......Page 104 The Dominion of Canada, and the impact of Routledge v. Low......Page 108 British diplomacy: the 'Canadian proposals' and a draft bill......Page 112 Canadian turbulence and the formation of the Copyright Association......Page 115 A clear challenge: the 1872 Canadian Copyright Bill......Page 121 Towards a compromise: the 1875 Canadian Copyright Act......Page 124 The Royal Commission and colonial issues......Page 128 Canada's role in Anglo-America treaty negotiations,1880–84......Page 130 The Berne Convention forces change but provokes Canadian resentment......Page 132 Canada seeks to denounce the Berne Convention: the 1889 Copyright Act......Page 134 America concedes the principle of international copyright......Page 136 Canadian autonomy and copyright: a matter of constitutional significance......Page 139 Sir John Thompson's death: impact on the campaign......Page 141 The Hall Caine initiative......Page 145 The Hall Caine plan abandoned: towards the 1900 Fisher Act......Page 148 The turbulence continues: Imperial Book Co. v. Black......Page 153 Implications of the Berlin revision of the Berne Convention......Page 154 The Imperial Copyright Conference......Page 157 The aftermath of the Imperial Conference – an incomplete solution......Page 160 America's publishing trade – origins and opportunities......Page 164 Early American copyright legislation......Page 168 Early international exchanges......Page 173 The Clay bill: early petitions and pressure......Page 178 Dickens in America: controversy and the Clay bill......Page 183 The formation of the American Copyright Club......Page 187 Further memorials to Congress: the publisher George P. Putnam, and Nahum Capen......Page 188 British periodicals in America: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine......Page 189 Jay's efforts in Congress......Page 191 Foreign authors under English law: division and doubt......Page 192 Boosey v. Jefferys: Lord Campbell and copyright for foreigners......Page 196 Efforts towards an Anglo-American copyright treaty......Page 198 Jefferys v. Boosey: the House of Lords reverses the position on copyright for foreigners......Page 203 Jefferys v. Boosey: comment and consequences......Page 205 Momentum for international copyright lost: 1855–65......Page 208 Tariffs–their history and their impact on the book trade......Page 209 Renewed efforts from the International Copyright Association......Page 211 Formation of the American Copyright Association......Page 214 Routledge v. Low: the significance of `residence' for American authors......Page 215 Further efforts towards an Anglo-American Treaty......Page 217 Bills in Congress: 1871–74......Page 219 The Royal Commission's view of America, 1875–78......Page 224 A further treaty proposal: the Harper draft......Page 226 The Harper draft: Board of Trade consultations......Page 230 Sackville West takes over the negotiations......Page 233 The American Copyright League: authors combine......Page 235 The Dorsheimer Bill......Page 236 The Hawley bill......Page 239 The Berne Convention: the United States stands aloof......Page 242 The Pearsall Smith Royalty Scheme......Page 244 The American Authors and Publishers Copyright Leagues combine their efforts......Page 245 Agreement between the Leagues and the typographical unions: further compromise......Page 250 The Chace bill: British reactions......Page 254 The Simonds Report favourable; but defeat in the House......Page 255 Final manoeuvres: the bill passes, despite determined opposition......Page 258 Implications of the 1891 Act for Britain: the question of reciprocity......Page 263 The effects of the 1891 Act: problems for translations......Page 265 A further attempt to conclude an Anglo-American treaty......Page 266 The scope of America's international copyright law following the 1891 Act......Page 268 Codification of American law: the 1909 Copyright Act......Page 269 6 Domestic problems......Page 271 Initial responses to the international challenge......Page 272 The Society of British Authors and The Association for the Protection of Literature......Page 274 The Bookselling Question......Page 278 First government attempts at copyright consolidation soon abandoned......Page 282 Dramatisation right refused......Page 283 Report of the Royal Commission......Page 286 Battles of principle......Page 289 Attempts to realise the Commission's scheme......Page 293 The Society of Authors......Page 296 The Society of Authors' Consolidating Copyright Bill 1890......Page 297 Further failure – the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 1897......Page 299 Private initiatives fail again......Page 301 Stagnation continues: 1900–08......Page 305 Impact of the Berlin agreement......Page 307 The Gorell committee......Page 308 Copyright Bills 1910 and 1911......Page 310 Success but not triumph......Page 312 John Wurtele Lovell: a pirate's history......Page 314 Choosing new colours: principles and techniques......Page 322 Bibliography......Page 346 Index......Page 365 Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Table of cases 8 Table of statutes 11 Table of abbreviations and archive sources 14 Abbreviations 14 Archive sources 15 Acknowledgements 17 1 Introduction 19 International copyright: gazing into cyberspace 19 Synopsis and guidance 24 Visions of copyright 1837–1911: coming full circle? 26 The protection of literary property 29 Copyright and contexts 34 2 International copyright: four interconnected histories 40 Towards the Berne Convention 40 Foreign reprints: concerns and responses 40 International initiatives: efforts towards a multi-lateral agreement 42 Colonial copyright 43 The particular problems of Canada 43 America 46 Early British demands for the protection of her copyright works 46 Post-Bellum America: national calls for international copyright 49 Domestic copyright 54 The quest for order amongst chaos 54 The 1911 Actlooking back and looking forward 57 3 Towards the Berne Union 59 Foreign reprints: the growing menace 59 British copyright and foreign nationals 63 First attempts to stem the tide 65 The first bilateral treaties 67 The Anglo-French treaty: the new deal 69 The 1858 Brussels Congress: early calls for a uniform copyright law 70 Bilateral agreements: the network expands 72 French idealism: influence and pressure 74 The 1878 Paris Congress 76 First steps towards a Union of literary property: the Berne conferences 1883–6 78 Britain's role in the creation of the Berne Union 83 Britain's implementation of the Berne Convention: domestic and colonial problems 87 The Additional Act of Paris 1896 90 The Berlin revision 1908 92 Britain and the Berlin Act: difficulties and colonial doubts 94 4 Colonial challenges 96 The book trade in Canada – origins and development 96 The ban on foreign reprints: early reactions 97 Pressure for change: towards the 1847 Foreign Reprints Act 102 The 1847 Foreign Reprints Act provides no solution to the problem 104 The Dominion of Canada, and the impact of Routledge v. Low 108 British diplomacy: the 'Canadian proposals' and a draft bill 112 Canadian turbulence and the formation of the Copyright Association 115 A clear challenge: the 1872 Canadian Copyright Bill 121 Towards a compromise: the 1875 Canadian Copyright Act 124 The Royal Commission and colonial issues 128 Canada's role in Anglo-America treaty negotiations,1880–84 130 The Berne Convention forces change but provokes Canadian resentment 132 Canada seeks to denounce the Berne Convention: the 1889 Copyright Act 134 America concedes the principle of international copyright 136 Canadian autonomy and copyright: a matter of constitutional significance 139 Sir John Thompson's death: impact on the campaign 141 The Hall Caine initiative 145 The Hall Caine plan abandoned: towards the 1900 Fisher Act 148 The turbulence continues: Imperial Book Co. v. Black 153 Implications of the Berlin revision of the Berne Convention 154 The Imperial Copyright Conference 157 The aftermath of the Imperial Conference – an incomplete solution 160 5 The independence of America 164 America's publishing trade – origins and opportunities 164 Early American copyright legislation 168 Early international exchanges 173 The Clay bill: early petitions and pressure 178 Dickens in America: controversy and the Clay bill 183 The formation of the American Copyright Club 187 Further memorials to Congress: the publisher George P. Putnam, and Nahum Capen 188 British periodicals in America: Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 189 Jay's efforts in Congress 191 Foreign authors under English law: division and doubt 192 Boosey v. Jefferys: Lord Campbell and copyright for foreigners 196 Efforts towards an Anglo-American copyright treaty 198 Jefferys v. Boosey: the House of Lords reverses the position on copyright for foreigners 203 Jefferys v. Boosey: comment and consequences 205 Momentum for international copyright lost: 1855–65 208 Tariffs–their history and their impact on the book trade 209 Renewed efforts from the International Copyright Association 211 Formation of the American Copyright Association 214 Routledge v. Low: the significance of `residence' for American authors 215 Further efforts towards an Anglo-American Treaty 217 Bills in Congress: 1871–74 219 The Royal Commission's view of America, 1875–78 224 A further treaty proposal: the Harper draft 226 The Harper draft: Board of Trade consultations 230 Sackville West takes over the negotiations 233 The American Copyright League: authors combine 235 The Dorsheimer Bill 236 The Hawley bill 239 The Berne Convention: the United States stands aloof 242 The Pearsall Smith Royalty Scheme 244 The American Authors and Publishers Copyright Leagues combine their efforts 245 Agreement between the Leagues and the typographical unions: further compromise 250 The Chace bill: British reactions 254 The Simonds Report favourable; but defeat in the House 255 Final manoeuvres: the bill passes, despite determined opposition 258 Implications of the 1891 Act for Britain: the question of reciprocity 263 The effects of the 1891 Act: problems for translations 265 A further attempt to conclude an Anglo-American treaty 266 The scope of America's international copyright law following the 1891 Act 268 Codification of American law: the 1909 Copyright Act 269 6 Domestic problems 271 Initial responses to the international challenge 272 The Society of British Authors and The Association for the Protection of Literature 274 The Bookselling Question 278 First government attempts at copyright consolidation soon abandoned 282 Dramatisation right refused 283 Report of the Royal Commission 286 Battles of principle 289 Attempts to realise the Commission's scheme 293 The Society of Authors 296 The Society of Authors' Consolidating Copyright Bill 1890 297 Further failure – the Copyright (Amendment) Bill 1897 299 Open disagreement – publishers and authors offer separate copyright bills 301 Private initiatives fail again 301 Stagnation continues: 1900–08 305 Impact of the Berlin agreement 307 The Gorell committee 308 Copyright Bills 1910 and 1911 310 Success but not triumph 312 7 The colours of cyberspace 314 John Wurtele Lovell: a pirate's history 314 Choosing new colours: principles and techniques 322 Bibliography 346 Index 365

Technological developments have shaped copyright law's development, and now the prospect of endless, effortless digital copying poses a significant challenge to modern copyright law. Many complain that copyright protection has burgeoned wildly, far beyond its original boundaries. Some have questioned whether copyright can survive the digital age. From a historical perspective, however, many of these 'new' challenges are simply fresh presentations of familiar dilemmas. This book explores the history of international copyright law, and looks at how this history is relevant today. It focuses on international copyright during the nineteenth century, as it affected Europe, the British colonies (particularly Canada), America, and the UK. As we consider the reform of modern copyright law, nineteenth-century experiences offer highly relevant empirical evidence. Copyright law has proved itself robust and flexible over several centuries. If directed with vision, Seville argues, it can negotiate cyberspace.

This Book Explores The History Of International Copyright Law, And Looks At How This History Is Relevant Today. It Focuses On International Copyright During The Nineteenth Century, As It Affected Europe, The British Colonies (particularly Canada), America, And The Uk. As We Consider The Reform Of Modern Copyright Law, Nineteenth-century Experiences Offer Highly Relevant Empirical Evidence. Copyright Law Has Proved Itself Robust And Flexible Over Several Centuries. If Directed With Vision, Seville Argues, It Can Negotiate Cyberspace.--jacket. International Copyright : Four Interconnected Histories -- Towards The Berne Union -- Colonial Challenges -- The Independence Of America -- Domestic Problems -- The Colours Of Cyberspace. Catherine Seville. Series Statement From Jacket. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 328-346) And Index. A comprehensive account of the internationalisation of literary copyright, focusing on nineteenth century international copyright law as it affected Europe, the British colonies (particularly Canada), America, and the UK. Explores the history of international copyright law, and looks at how this history is relevant today. This is a comprehensive account of the internationalization of literary copyright, focusing on 19th-century international copyright law as it affected Europe, the British colonies (particularly Canada), America, and the UK