KING'S COPYRIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22024, 5 August 1933, Page 13

KING'S COPYRIGHT

WARNING TO AUTHORS BREACHES OF GOOD TASTE. LONDON, July 22. A remarkable communique has been issued from Buckingham Palace, emphasising the existence of the King’s copyright. It is expected to check the indiscretions of authors who make unauthorised use of Royal letters in writing memoirs. The communique reminds persons who possess letters or papers addressed or prepared for his Majesty or his predecessors of the provisions of the Copyright Act and warns them that care must be taken to obtain permission for their publication. It is understood that the communique has been issued owing to the unusual output of memoirs. The authorities intend also to discourage free publication of private copyright documents. While there is no legal check for breaches of good taste, it is hoped that the warning will have a restraining effect. Some such breaches have caused distress in exalted quarters. It is intended in future to watch closely books dealing with matters of State and Royal personages, and, if necessary, invoke the law. Talk in court circles attributes the warning to the forthcoming appearance of a well-known lady’s reminisccnses, containing passages referring to King Edward, which are regarded with particular disfavour. It is recalled that King Edward especially suffered from publication of his correspondence regarding racing, giving a wrong perspective of his Majesty's interests. In the News-Chronicle Mr Lloyd George, whose memoirs are now being published, says he lias used nothing without submitting it to examination in the proper quarter, and obtaining full permission. The forthcoming memoirs include a volume by Viscount and Viscountess Snowden.