My Lord,
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH OCTOBER,
No. 37.
Mr. Adams to Earl Granville,*--(Received June 15.)'
1886.
1001
Berne, June 13, 1885.
FEDERAL Councillor Droz has informed me that, from news just received from the Swiss Legation at Washington, it appears that, according to every probability, the Government of the United States of America will be represented by one or several Delegates at the International Copyright Conference to be held at Berne next September.
I have, &c.
No. 38.
(Signed)
F. O. ADAMS.
t
✩
Dear Sir,
Mr. Daldy to Mr. Bourke.—(Received July 27.)
Aldine House, Belvedere, Kent, July 25, 1885.
I REGRET the necessity of trespassing on your time so soon after your acceptance of office, for it must be very fully occupied, but as this Conference is to be held early in September it seems necessary at once to determine the attitude England is to take at it.
I am well aware that the late Ministry was only inclined to allow its Representative to appear there for the purpose of watching its proceedings; but circumstances are now somewhat changed, and the Conference will probably be generally representative of nearly all the countries, including the United States, interested in the subject.
I hope, therefore, you will be obliging enough to see me, on behalf of the Copyright Association (accompanied probably by a representative of the Incorporated Society of Authors), at any time that suits your convenience, and allow us to point out briefly the reasons why we attach great importance to England being allowed to take part in the discussions; and also to submit to you a Memorandum of the vital points apparently necessary to secure the efficiency of the Convention which will probably result from these deliberations.
It is not from want of respect, but in consideration of your time and convenience, that we refrain from asking you to receive a formal deputation, and also because we hope a very few minutes' conver- sation may put you in possession of our views. We believe the Treaty Department of your Office knows all the details of the subject.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
F. R. DALDY.
*
No. 39.
Memorandum handed to Mr. Bourke by Mr. Daldy and Mr. Cotter Morrison at an Interview,
July 31, 1885.
AS a Union will in all probability be formed, a literary country like England should assist in its We should then be formation, otherwise a basis of Union may be formed to which we cannot assent. left out, and if, as will probably be the case, existing Treaties be denounced, English works will not have copyright anywhere but in the British dominions, and may then be produced elsewhere, and even smuggled into the British dominions to the great detriment of the owners.
Let our Representative at the Conference have a consultative voice and voting power subject to the subsequent sanction of the Government he represents.
Advocate as Bases of Union.
Copyright-owners in one country of the Union shall be entitled to the protection of Bases of Union. their property in every other country of the Union to the extent accorded by the said country to copyright-owners therein or thereof.
Copyright shall not exist in any other country in the Union after it has expired in the country of origin.
Registration of copyright shall only be required in the country of origin, and certificate of registration shall be primâ facie evidence of ownership before the Tribunals of any other country.
A managing Council shall be formed with power to admit countries not in the Union if it considers copyright is sufficiently protected in the said countries.
Council shall meet once every three years or on demand of any three countries in the Union.
* Copy to Board of Trade, June 19.