COPYRIGHT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1112, 27 April 1911, Page 5

COPYRIGHT.

LETTER BY IWR. JOHN MURRAY. . THE CANADIAN BILL. By Toleerapb—PreS3 Association—Copyrisht London, April 25. Mr. John Murray, head of the publishing house of John Murray, and ex-presi-dent of tho Publishers' Association, in a letter published in the press regarding the new Canadian Copyright Bill (which strikes a blow at British authors and publishers, and destroys the uniformity of the law within tho Empire, by insisting on every work being registered before publication, and on every copy bfcing printed in Canada), says that the manufacturing clauso in the Australian Act of 1905 will presumably come into force with respect to Great Britain if the British Bill become» law, and that if the other self-governing ■ -Dominions follow Australia's example, it will be disastrous for British authors. THE BRITISH BILL. A Copyright Bill, the provisions of which are intended to secure the utmost uniformity possible throughout the Empire, is at present before the British House of Commons.. , The Bill seeks to bring into effect the recommendations, of the Berlin Convention in ■ 1908. Dramatised novels are provided for, as well as translations, lectures, original adaptations, and artistic and architectural works which were hitherto excluded from copyright. Musical works will be protected against mechanical reproductions. In future copyright will be during the lifetime of the author, and for 50 years thereafter. - Power is given to the comptroller of patents to license the publication of books which, for various reasons, are unduly withheld from the- public. In the opinion of Mr. Sydney Buxton (President of-the Board of Trade), who introduced'the Bill, it will assist in the publication of cheap editions.