[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL
220
[February 24.]
SECTION 3.
[6703]
(No. 462.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir E. Satow to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 24, 1906.)
Peking, December 30, 1905.
WITH reference to the fourth paragraph of the letter to Messrs. Macmillan and Co. of the 3rd November, inclosed in the Marquess of Lansdowne's despatch to me No. 249 of the same date, I have the honour to inform you that I recently inquired of my United States' and Japanese colleagues whether any steps had yet been taken to give effect to the stipulations for the protection of copyright contained in their respective Treaties with China.
Mr. Rockhill, in his reply, states that in March and May 1904 his predecessor, Mr. Conger, addressed notes on the subject of issuing Copyright Regulations to the Wai-wu Pu. It was, however, thought that it would be better to await the termination of the negotiations for Trade-marks Regulations before taking up the question of copyright, and nothing has been done in the matter since.
Mr. Uchida informs me that he has taken no steps in connection with the Treaty stipulations referred to.
There is no immediate prospect of an agreement being arrived at in regard to trade-marks. If His Majesty's Government desire that I should approach the Chinese Government on the subject of copyright it would assist me greatly if something in the way of a draft could be communicated to me. In preparing these it should be borne in mind that the protection to be given can only be against Chinese subjects, and not against foreigners residing in China printing or importing pirated copies.
I have, &c.