SHORTHAND WRITERS' NOTES: WHOSE ARE THEY?

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7142, 21 April 1885, Page 4

SHORTHAND WRITERS' NOTES : WHOSE ARE THEY?

Sir, — Will you kindly inform we whether, in the absence of any understanding or agreement on the subject between parties concerned, shorthand notes are the property of the stenographer? or whether the reporter has the right to publish a transcript of his notes of a lecture or address delivered extempore and without charge 1 According to the law of the United States shorthand notes are the property of the writer, which he may retain for his protection, that he may verify the accuracy of his transcript, should it be necessary, or to correct perveraiona of them by others, and in England it is the right of the stenographer to publish a transcript. of his notos of free lectures and sermons, providing the same have not been previously committed to manuscript by tho speaker ; but from what I can learn so far of the colonial law regulating such matters, it is not very clear to me whether the above extensive privilege of the shorthander is recognised, ana I will be glad if you can enlighten ma, — I am, &c., W.R.M. [We presume that the English practice will hold good here in the absence of any special agreement. — Ed. 11.8.H.~\