JUDGMENT OF TARA
In the ancient kingdom of Tara, Ireland, there was enacted centuries ago a scene of monastic jealousy which led to the foundation of the law of copyright, and incidentally created the modern need for such institutions as the Performing Rights Society, which today controls the public performance of over two million pieces of music. The story, as related by composer Sir Edward German, reveals two monasteries competing with one another to capture the local tourist trade. One monastery was fortunate to possess an artist monk, who designed a psalter so beautiful that visitors came from far and wide to view it. The other monastery, alarmed at its loss of trade, ordered a competent craftsman to furnish it with a replica of the crowd-enticing psalter. The abbot of the first monastery appealed to the king. His judgment was memorable. " To every cow her calf." he said, and ordered the infringing copy to be burned. On this legend hangs the livelihood of present-day composers, authors, and publishers, for without the world-wide principles of copyright their work could be exploited'by " pirates " at will.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19341124.2.175.32.4
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21966, 24 November 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)
Word Count
183JUDGMENT OF TARA New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21966, 24 November 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)
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