Sec. 4957. The Librarian of Congress shall record the name of such copyright book or other article forthwith, in a book to be kept for that purpose, in the words following: "Library of Congress, to wit: Be it remembered that on the day of A. B., of hath deposited in this office the title of a book (map, chart, or otherwise as the case may be, or a description of the article), the title or description of which is in the following words, to wit: (here insert the title or description) the right whereof he claims as author (originator or proprietor as the case may be) in conformity with the laws of the United States respecting copyrights. C. D., Librarian of Congress." And he shall give a copy of the title or description, under the seal of the Librarian of Congress, to the proprietor whenever he shall require it.
Sec. 4958. The Librarian of Congress shall receive from the persons to whom the services designated are rendered the following fees:
First. For recording the title or description of any copyright book or other article, fifty cents.
Second. For every copy under seal of such record actually given to the person claiming the copyright, or his assigns, fifty cents.
Third. For recording any instrument of writing for the assignment of a copyright, fifteen cents for every one hundred words.[1791]
All fees so received shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States.[1792]
Sec. 4959. The proprietor of every copyright book or other article shall deliver at the office of the Librarian of Congress, or deposit in the mail addressed to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, District of Columbia, within ten days after its publication, two complete printed copies thereof, of the best edition issued, or description or photograph of such article as hereinbefore required, and a copy of every subsequent edition wherein any substantial changes shall be made.[1793]
Sec. 4960. For every failure on the part of the proprietor of any copyright to deliver or deposit in the mail either of the published copies or description or photograph, required by sections 4956 and 4959, the proprietor of the copyright shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five dollars, to be recovered by the Librarian of Congress, in the name of the United States, in an action in the nature of an action of debt in any district court of the United States, within the jurisdiction of which the delinquent may reside or be found.
Sec. 4961. The postmaster to whom such copyright book, title, or other article is delivered, shall, if requested, give a receipt therefor; and when so delivered he shall mail it to its destination.
Sec. 4962. No person shall maintain an action for the infringement of his copyright unless he shall give notice thereof by inserting in the several copies of every edition published, on the title-page or the page immediately following, if it be a book; or if a map, chart, musical [382] composition, print, cut, engraving, photograph, painting, drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, or model or design intended to be perfected and completed as a work of the fine arts, by inscribing upon some portion of the face or front thereof, or on the face of the substance on which the same shall be mounted,[1794] the following words, "Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year , by A. B., in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington."[1795]
Sec. 4963. Every person who shall insert or impress such notice or words of the same purport, in or upon any book, map, chart, musical composition, print, cut, engraving, or photograph, or other article for which he has not obtained a copyright, shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars, recoverable one-half by the person who shall sue for such penalty, and one-half to the use of the United States.[1796]
Sec. 4964. Every person who after the recording of the title of any book as provided by this chapter shall, within the term limited and without the consent of the proprietor of the copyright first obtained in writing, signed in presence of two or more witnesses, print, publish, or import, or, knowing the same to be so printed, published, or imported, shall sell or expose to sale any copy of such book, shall forfeit every copy thereof to such proprietor, and shall also forfeit and pay such damages as may be recovered in a civil action by such proprietor in any court of competent jurisdiction.[1797]
Sec. 4965. If any person after the recording of the title of any map, chart, musical composition, print, cut, engraving, or photograph, or chromo, or of the description of any painting, drawing, statue, statuary, or model, or design intended to be perfected and executed as a work of the fine arts, as provided by this chapter shall, within the term limited and without the consent of the proprietor of the copyright first obtained in writing, signed in presence of two or more witnesses, engrave, etch, work, copy, print, publish, or import, either in whole or in part, or by varying the main design with intent to evade the law, or, knowing the same to be so printed, published, or imported, shall sell or expose to sale any copy of such maps or other article, as aforesaid, he shall forfeit to the proprietor all the plates on which the same shall be copied, and every sheet thereof either copied or printed, and shall further forfeit one dollar for every sheet of the same found in his possession, either printing, printed, copied, published, imported, or exposed for sale; and in case of a painting, statue, or statuary he shall forfeit ten dollars for every copy of the same in his possession, or by him sold or exposed for sale; one-half thereof to the proprietor, and the other half to the use of the United States.[1798]
Sec. 4966. Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic composition for which a copyright has been obtained without the consent of the proprietor thereof or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than[383] one hundred dollars for the first, and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just.[1799]
Sec. 4967. Every person who shall print or publish any manuscript whatever without the consent of the author or proprietor first obtained, if such author or proprietor is a citizen of the United States, or resident therein, shall be liable to the author or proprietor for all damages occasioned by such injury.[1800]
Sec. 4968. No action shall be maintained in any case of forfeiture or penalty under the copyright laws unless the same is commenced within two years after the cause of action has arisen.
Sec. 4969. In all actions arising under the laws respecting copyrights, the defendant may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in evidence.
Sec. 4970. The circuit courts, and district courts having the jurisdiction of circuit courts, shall have power upon bill in equity, filed by any party aggrieved, to grant injunctions to prevent the violation of any right secured by the laws respecting copyrights, according to the course and principles of courts of equity on such terms as the courts may deem reasonable.
Sec. 4971. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the printing, publishing, importation, or sale of any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, print, cut, engraving or photograph, written, composed, or made by any person not a citizen of the United States nor resident therein.[1801]
Sec. 699. A writ of error may be allowed to review any final judgment at law, and an appeal shall be allowed from any final decree in equity hereinafter mentioned without regard to the sum or value in dispute.
First. By final judgment at law or final decree in equity of any circuit court, or of any district court acting as a circuit court, or of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, or of any Territory, in any case touching patent rights or copyrights.
Sec. 711. The jurisdiction vested in the courts of the United States in the cases and proceedings hereinafter mentioned, shall be exclusive of the courts of the several States.
Fifth. Of all cases arising under the patent-right or copyright laws of the United States.
Sec. 972. In all recoveries under the copyright laws either for damages, forfeitures, or penalties, full costs shall be allowed thereon.
Sec. 5046. All ... patent rights, and copyrights ... shall in virtue of the adjudication of bankruptcy and the appointment of an assignee ... be at once vested in such assignee.
Sec. 5596. All Acts of Congress passed prior to December 1, 1873, any portion of which is embraced in any section of the Revised Statutes, are hereby repealed, and the section applicable thereto shall be in force in lieu thereof....
Sec. 5601. The enactment of the said Revision is not to affect or repeal any Act of Congress passed since December 1, 1873, and all Acts passed since that date are to have full effect as if passed after the enactment of this revision, and so far as such Acts vary from and conflict with [384] any provision contained in said revision, they are to have effect as subsequent statutes, and as repealing any portion of the revision inconsistent therewith.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no person shall maintain an action for the infringement of his copyright unless he shall give notice thereof by inserting in the several copies of every edition published, on the title-page or the page immediately following, if it be a book; or if a map, chart, musical composition, print, cut, engraving, photograph, painting, drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, or model or design intended to be perfected and completed as a work of the fine arts, by inscribing upon some visible portion thereof, or of the substance on which the same shall be mounted, the following words, viz.:—"Entered according to Act of Congress in the year by A. B., in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington," or at his option the word "Copyright" together with the year the copyright was entered, and the name of the party by whom it was taken out; thus—"Copyright, 18—, by A. B."
Sec. 2. That for recording and certifying any instrument of writing for the assignment of a copyright, the Librarian of Congress shall receive, from the persons to whom the service is rendered, one dollar; and for every copy of an assignment, one dollar; said fee to cover in either case a certificate of the record, under seal of the Librarian of Congress; and all fees so received shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States.[1802]
Sec. 3. That in the construction of this Act the words "engraving," "cut" and "print" shall be applied only to pictorial illustrations or works connected with the fine arts, and no prints or labels designed to be used for any other articles of manufacture shall be entered under the copyright law, but may be registered in the Patent Office. And the Commissioner of Patents is hereby charged with the supervision and control of the entry or registry of such prints or labels, in conformity with the regulations provided by law as to copyright of prints except that there shall be paid for recording the title of any print or label not a trade mark, six dollars, which shall cover the expense of furnishing a copy of the record under the seal of the Commissioners of Patents, to the party entering the same.
Sec. 4. That all laws and parts of laws inconsistent with the foregoing provisions be, and the same are hereby repealed.
Sec. 5. That this Act shall take effect on August 1, 1874.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That manufacturers of designs for moulded decorative articles, tiles, plaques, or articles of pottery or metal subject to copyright may put the copyright mark prescribed by Section 4962 of the Revised Statutes, and Acts additional thereto, upon [385] the back or bottom of such articles, or in such other place upon them as it has heretofore been usual for manufacturers of such articles to employ for the placing of manufacturers, merchants, and trade marks thereon.
An Act to reduce the revenue and equalise duties on imports, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2. On and after October 6, 1890, unless otherwise specially provided for in this Act, the following articles when imported shall be exempt from duty:
512. Books, engravings, photographs, bound or unbound, etchings, maps and charts, which shall have been printed and bound or manufactured more than twenty years at the date of importation.
513. Books and pamphlets printed exclusively in languages other than English; also books and music in raised print used exclusively by the blind.
514. Books, engravings, photographs, etchings, bound or unbound, maps and charts imported by authority, or for the use of the United States, or for the use of the Library of Congress.
515. Books, maps, lithographic prints, and charts, specially imported, not more than two copies in any one invoice, in good faith for the use of any society incorporated or established for educational, philosophical, literary or religious purposes, or for the encouragement of the fine arts, or for the use or by order of any college, academy, school or seminary of learning in the United States, subject to such regulations as the secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe.
516. Books, or libraries, or parts of libraries, and other household effects of persons or families from foreign countries, if actually used abroad by them not less than one year, and not intended for any other person or persons, nor for sale.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-two of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4952. The author, inventor, designer, or proprietor of any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, engraving, cut, print, or photograph or negative thereof, or of a painting, drawing, chromo, statue, statuary, and of models or designs intended to be perfected as works of the fine arts, and the executors, administrators, or assigns of any such person shall, upon complying with the provisions of this chapter, have the sole liberty of printing, reprinting, publishing, completing, copying, executing, finishing, and vending [386] the same; and, in the case of dramatic composition, of publicly performing or representing it or causing it to be performed or represented by others; and authors or their assigns shall have exclusive right to dramatize and translate any of their works for which copyright shall have been obtained under the laws of the United States."
Sec. 2. That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-four of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4954. The author, inventor, or designer, if he be still living, or his widow or children, if he be dead, shall have the same exclusive right continued for the further term of fourteen years, upon recording the title of the work or description of the article so secured a second time, and complying with all other regulations in regard to original copyrights, within six months before the expiration of the first term; and such persons shall, within two months from the date of said renewal, cause a copy of the record thereof to be published in one or more newspapers printed in the United States for the space of four weeks."
Sec. 3. That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-six of the Revised Statutes of the United States be, and the same is hereby amended so that it shall read as follows:
"Sec. 4956. No person shall be entitled to a copyright unless he shall, on or before the day of publication in this or any foreign country, deliver at the office of the Librarian of Congress, or deposit in the mail within the United States, addressed to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, District of Columbia, a printed copy of the title of the book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, engraving, cut, print, photograph, or chromo, or a description of the painting, drawing, statue, statuary, or a model or design for a work of the fine arts for which he desires a copyright, nor unless he shall also, not later than the day of the publication thereof[1803] in this or any foreign country, deliver at the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, District of Columbia, or deposit in the mail within the United States, addressed to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, District of Columbia, two copies of such copyright book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, engraving, chromo, cut, print, or photograph, or in case of a painting, drawing, statue, statuary, model, or design for a work of the fine arts, a photograph of same: Provided, That in the case of a book, photograph, chromo, or lithograph, the two copies of the same required to be delivered or deposited as above shall be printed from type set within the limits of the United States, or from plates made therefrom, or from negatives, or drawings on stone made within the limits of the United States, or from transfers made therefrom. During the existence of such copyright the importation into the United States of any book, chromo, lithograph, or photograph so copyrighted, or any edition or editions thereof, or any plates of the same not made from type set, negatives, or drawings on [387] stone made within the limits of the United States, shall be, and it is hereby, prohibited, except in the cases specified in paragraphs 512 to 516, inclusive in section 2 of the Act of Congress, October 1, 1890, and except in the case of persons purchasing for use and not for sale, who import, subject to the duty thereon, not more than two copies of such book at any one time, and except in the case of newspapers and magazines not containing in whole or in part matter copyrighted under the provisions of this Act, unauthorised by the author, which are hereby exempted from prohibition of importation: Provided, nevertheless, That in the case of books in foreign languages, of which only translations in English are copyrighted; the prohibition of importation shall apply only to the translations of the same, and the importation of the books in the original language shall be permitted."
Sec. 4. That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-eight of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so that it will read as follows:
"Sec. 4958. The Librarian of Congress shall receive from the persons to whom the services designated are rendered the following fees:
"First. For recording the title or description of any copyright book or other article, fifty cents.
"Second. For every copy under seal of such record actually given to the person claiming the copyright, or his assigns, fifty cents.
"Third. For recording and certifying any instrument of writing for the assignment of a copyright, one dollar.
"Fourth. For every copy of an assignment, one dollar.
"All fees so received shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States: Provided, That the charge for recording the title or description of any article entered for copyright, the production of a person not a citizen or resident of the United States, shall be one dollar, to be paid as above into the Treasury of the United States, to defray the expenses of lists of copyrighted articles as hereinafter provided for.
List of copyrighted articles to be furnished Treasury.Weekly Catalogues."And it is hereby made the duty of the Librarian of Congress to furnish to the Secretary of the Treasury copies of the entries of titles of all books and other articles wherein the copyright has been completed by the deposit of two copies of such book printed from type set within the limits of the United States, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and by the deposit of two copies of such other article made or produced in the United States; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to prepare and print, at intervals of not more than a week, catalogues of such title-entries for distribution to the collectors of customs of the United States and to the postmasters of all post offices receiving foreign mails, and such weekly lists, as they are issued, shall be furnished to all parties desiring them, at a sum not exceeding five dollars per annum; and the Secretary and the Postmaster-General are hereby empowered and required to make and enforce such rules and regulations as shall prevent the importation into the United States, except upon the conditions above specified, of all articles prohibited by this Act."
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Sec. 5. That section forty-nine hundred and fifty-nine of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4959. The proprietor of every copyright book or other article shall deliver at the office of the Librarian of Congress, or deposit in the mail, addressed to the Librarian of Congress at Washington, District of Columbia, a copy of every subsequent edition wherein any substantial changes shall be made: Provided, however, That the alterations, revisions, and additions made to books by foreign authors, heretofore published, of which new editions shall appear subsequently to the taking effect of this Act, shall be held and deemed capable of being copyrighted as above provided for in this Act, unless they form a part of the series in course of publication at the time this Act shall take effect."
Sec. 6. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-three of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4963. Every person who shall insert or impress such notice, or words of the same purport, in or upon any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, print, cut, engraving, or photograph, or other article, for which he has not obtained a copyright, shall be liable to a penalty of one hundred dollars, recoverable one-half for the person who shall sue for such penalty and one-half to the use of the United States."[1804]
Sec. 7. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-four of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4964. Every person who, after the recording of the title of any book and the depositing of two copies of such book, as provided by this Act, shall, contrary to the provisions of this Act, within the term limited, and without the consent of the proprietor of the copyright first obtained in writing, signed in presence of two or more witnesses, print, publish, dramatize, translate, or import, or knowing the same to be so printed, published, dramatized, translated, or imported, shall sell or expose to sale any copy of such book, shall forfeit every copy thereof to such proprietor, and shall also forfeit and pay such damages as may be recovered in a civil action by such proprietor in any court of competent jurisdiction."
Sec. 8. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-five of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby so amended as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4965. If any person, after the recording of the title of any map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, print, cut, engraving, or photograph, or chromo, or of the description of any painting, drawing, statue, statuary, or model or design intended to be perfected and executed as a work of the fine arts, as provided by this Act, shall within the term limited, contrary to the provisions of this Act, and without the consent of the proprietor of the copyright first obtained in writing, signed in presence of two or more witnesses, engrave, etch, work, copy, print, publish, dramatize, translate, or import, either in whole or in [389] part, or by varying the main design with intent to evade the law, or, knowing the same to be so printed, published, dramatized, translated, or imported, shall sell or expose to sale any copy of such map or other article as aforesaid, he shall forfeit to the proprietor all the plates on which the same shall be copied and every sheet thereof, either copied or printed, and shall further forfeit one dollar for every sheet of the same found in his possession, either printing, printed, copied, published, imported, or exposed for sale, and in case of a painting, statue, or statuary, he shall forfeit ten dollars for every copy of the same in his possession, or by him sold or exposed for sale; one-half thereof to the proprietor and the other half to the use of the United States."[1805]
Sec. 9. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-seven of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
"Sec. 4967. Every person who shall print or publish any manuscript whatever without the consent of the author or proprietor first obtained, shall be liable to the author or proprietor for all damages occasioned by such injury."
Sec. 10. That section forty-nine hundred and seventy-one of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby repealed.
Sec. 11. That for the purpose of this Act each volume of a book in two or more volumes, when such volumes are published separately and the first one shall not have been issued before this Act shall take effect, and each number of a periodical shall be considered an independent publication, subject to the form of copyrighting as above.
Sec. 12. That this Act shall go into effect on the first day of July, anno domini eighteen hundred and ninety-one.
Sec. 13. That this Act shall only apply to a citizen or subject of a foreign state or nation when such foreign state or nation permits to citizens of the United States of America the benefit of copyright on substantially the same basis as its own citizens; or when such foreign state or nation is a party to an international agreement which provides for reciprocity in the granting of copyright, by the terms of which agreement the United States of America may at its pleasure become a party to such agreement. The existence of either of the conditions aforesaid shall be determined by the President of the United States by proclamation made from time to time as the purposes of this Act may require.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any author, inventor, designer, or proprietor of any book, or other article entitled to copyright, who has heretofore failed to deliver in the office of the Librarian of Congress, or in the mail addressed to the Librarian of Congress, two complete copies of such book, or description or photograph of such article within the time limited by Title 60, chapter 3, of the Revised Statutes relating to copyrights and the Acts in amendment [390] thereof, and has complied with all other provisions thereof, who has before March 1, 1893, delivered at the office of the Librarian of Congress or deposited in the mail addressed to the Librarian of Congress two complete printed copies of such book, or description or photograph of such article, shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of said Title 60, chapter 3, of the Revised Statutes and Acts in amendment thereof.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 4965 of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Sec. 4965. If any person after the recording of the title of any map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, print, cut, engraving or photograph, or chromo, or of the description of any painting, drawing, statue, statuary, or model or design intended to be perfected and executed as a work of the fine arts, as provided by this Act, shall, within the term limited, contrary to the provisions of this Act and without the consent of the proprietor first obtained in writing, signed in presence of two or more witnesses, engrave, etch, work, copy, print, publish, dramatize, translate, or import, either in whole or in part, or by varying the main design, with intent to evade the law, or knowing the same to be so printed, published, dramatized, translated, or imported shall sell or expose to sale any copy of such map or other article as aforesaid, he shall forfeit to the proprietor all the plates on which the same shall be copied, and every sheet thereof either copied or printed, and shall further forfeit one dollar for every sheet of the same found in his possession, either printing, printed, copied, published, imported, or exposed for sale; and in case of a painting, statue, or statuary, he shall forfeit ten dollars for every copy of the same in his possession, or by him sold or exposed for sale: Provided, however, That in case of any such infringement of the copyright of a photograph made from any object not a work of fine arts, the sum to be recovered in any action brought under the provisions of this section shall be not less than 100 dollars, nor more than 5000 dollars, and: Provided further, That in case of any such infringement of the copyright of a painting, drawing, statue, engraving, etching, print, or model or design for a work of the fine arts or of a photograph of a work of the fine arts, the sum to be recovered in any action brought through the provisions of this section shall not be less than 250 dollars, and not more than 10,000 dollars. One-half of all the foregoing penalties shall go to the proprietors of the copyright and the other half to the use of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 4966 of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows: [391]
Sec. 4966. Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which a copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum not less than 100 dollars for the first and 50 dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and representation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and, upon conviction, be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year. Any injunction that may be granted upon hearing, after notice to the defendant by any circuit court of the United States, or by a judge thereof restraining and enjoining the performance or representation of any such dramatic or musical composition, may be served on the parties against whom such injunction may be granted anywhere in the United States, and shall be operative and may be enforced by proceedings to punish for contempt or otherwise by any other circuit court or judge in the United States; but the defendants in said action or any or either of them may make a motion in any other circuit in which he or they may be engaged in performing or representing said dramatic or musical composition, to dissolve or set aside the said injunction upon such reasonable notice to the plaintiff as the circuit court or the judge before whom said motion shall be made shall deem proper; service of said motion to be made on the plaintiff in person or on his attorneys in the action. The circuit courts or judges thereof shall have jurisdiction to enforce said injunction, and to hear and determine a motion to dissolve the same, as herein provided, as fully as if the action were pending or brought in the circuit in which said motion is made.
The clerk of the court or judge granting the injunction shall, when required so to do by the court hearing the application to dissolve or enforce said injunction, transmit without delay to said court a certified copy of all the papers on which the said injunction was granted that are on file in his office.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 4963 of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Sec. 4963. Every person who shall insert or impress such notice or words of the same purport, in or upon any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composition, print, cut, engraving or photograph, or other article, whether such article be subject to copyright or otherwise, for which he has not obtained a copyright in this country; or shall import any book, photograph, chromo, or lithograph or other article bearing such notice of copyright, or words of the same purport, which is not copyrighted in this country, shall be liable to a penalty of 100 dollars, recoverable one-half for the person who shall sue for such penalty, and one-half to the use of the United States; and the importation into the United States of any book, chromo, lithograph, or photograph, or other article bearing such notice of copyright, when there is no existing copyright thereon in the [392] United States, is prohibited: and the circuit courts of the United States sitting in equity are hereby authorised to enjoin the issuing, publishing, or selling of any article marked or imported in violation of the United States copyright laws, at the suit of any person complaining of such violation: Provided that this Act shall not apply to any importation of or sale of such goods or articles brought into the United States prior to the passage hereof.
Sec. 2. That all laws and parts of laws inconsistent with the foregoing provisions be and are hereby repealed.
Since this work went to press the Musical Copyright Bill mentioned on page 231 has received the Royal Assent and become law. The Act will come into operation on October 1, 1902, and its application is limited to the United Kingdom. The Act gives the owner of copyright music power to seize pirated copies of his works from any person who may hawk, carry about, sell, or offer for sale the same. To exercise this power he may proceed in one of two ways. He may apply to a court of summary jurisdiction, and on primâ facie evidence the court will by order authorise a constable to seize the alleged pirated copies, or he may without applying to the court himself authorise a constable in writing to seize such copies. On the copies being seized by the constable they must be brought before the court, and on proof that they are pirated copies the court will order them to be destroyed or delivered to the owner of the copyright. If the owner authorises the seizure without an order from the court and fails to prove his case he might be liable in damages. If, therefore, the owner is not quite sure of his case he should first obtain the order of the court, which will relieve him from all responsibility, except costs, in the event of his failing. The Bill as originally brought into the House of Lords contained a clause empowering a court of summary jurisdiction to inflict a summary penalty on persons dealing with pirated music. It also proposed to give the court power to order a constable to search for pirated music on suspected premises. These remedies, however, were considered by the House of Commons to be too drastic and were omitted from the Act. [393]
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