PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
LC.O.885
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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at an early period next Session, if it is found to meet the reasonable requirements both of the Colonies and of proprietors of copyright in England, I have been requested by my Responsible Advisers to state to your Lordship that, after giving the draft Bill their full consideration, they are of opinion that as its provisions meet the reasonable requirements of the Colony of Queensland, they do not think it necessary to offer any detailed observations upon it.
GIBRALTAR.
No. 25.
I have, &c. (Signed)
NORMANBY.
Sir W. F. Williams, Bart., G.C.B., to the Earl of Kimberley.-(Received August 29.)
My Lord,
Gibraltar, August 20, 1873.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Circular despatch of the 29th ultimo, transmitting to me a copy of a despatch from your Lordship to the Governor-General of Canada on the question of the Imperial Copyright Act, 1842, together with the draft of a Bill to amend the law relating to copyright which it is proposed to introduce next Session if it is found to meet the reasonable requirements both of the Colonies and of proprietors of copyright in the United Kingdom, and in compliance with the request of your Lordship for any suggestions upon this question which I may desire to offer, I have the honour to state that I do not see any reason why the proposed Copyright Amendment Act should not extend to Gibraltar as recommended in my predecessor's despatch of the 13th August, 1870.
I have, &c. (Signed) W. F. WILLIAMS.
My Lord,
ST. HELENA.
No. 26.
Governor Janisch to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received October 2.)
St. Helena, September 9, 1873. IN reply to your Lordship's Circular despatch dated 20th July last, transmitting copy of a despatch addressed to the Governor-General of Canada on the subject of the Copyright Act of 1842, together with the draft of u Bill to amend the Act, I have the honour to report that, after having laid this despatch before the Council, I have no suggestions to offer upon this Bill.
Sir,
1 have, &c.
(Signed) HUDSON R. JANISCH.
LAGOS.
No. 27.
Acting Administrator Lees to the Governor-in-chief.—(Received October 28.)
Government House, September 23, 1873.
IN reply to the Circular despatch of the 29th July, inclosing the draft of a Bill to amend the "Copyright Act of 1842," I have the honour to transmit a Report on the subject from Mr. Mayne, Chief Magistrate of the Settlement.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
C. C. LEEŠ.
Sir,
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Inclosure in No. 27.
Mr. Mayne to the Acting Administrator.
Lagos, September 22, 1873. I HAVE the honour to report, with regard to the accompanying Circular, that I can see no reason why the proposed measure should not prove well adapted to deal with any questions of copyright, which may arise in this Settlement.
2. I must observe, however, that no such questions have as yet arisen, nor are they, in my judgment, likely to arise for some time to come. It seems only reasonable to assume that, in a Settlement so primitive as that of Lagos, no question is likely to be stirred, with which the provisions of an Act, prepared with a view to the requirements of the far more complex and elaborate societies which exist in other Colonies, would not be competent to deal.
I have, &c.
(Signed) ROBT. D. MAYNE.
BERMUDA.
No. 28.
Governor Lefroy, C.B., to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received December 13.)
My Lord,
Government House, Bermuda, November 15, 1873. WITH reference to your Lordship's Circular despatch, dated July 29 (received September 12, inclosing a proposed Copyright Act (1842) Amendment Bill, I have the honour to inclose a Report of the Attorney-General on this subject.
Mr. Gray is of opinion that there will be little difficulty in inducing the Legislature of this Colony to pass such an Act as is contemplated by section 8; but that there will be some difficulty in giving effect to its provisions, and that no benefit can result to the copy- right holder proportionate to the trouble of affording him better protection.
2. In these opinions I concur. No books are reprinted in this Colony. The sale of books here is perfectly insignificant. The number of passengers arriving in the Colony from foreign countries of a class to introduce books is very small, and the number proceed- ing from the Colony to places other than New York or Halifax is still smaller. It would appear to follow that there is no way in which the interests of holders of copyright can have suffered appreciable injury under the present system, or do so by its continuance.
3. Copyright books reprinted abroad are subject to a duty of 15 per cent, when imported into Bermuda, of which 10 per cent. is payable to the proprietor of the copy. right. The total sum collected under this head in the last three years has only amounted to I. 4s. Id. I am told that English cheap editions have driven American reprints out of the market, a very few copies of the London and Edinburgh Quarterlies, and of "Black- wood's Magazine," are the only books of that class imported by the two booksellers of this Colony.
I have, &c.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 28.
(Signed) J. H. LEFROY.
Opinion of Attorney-General Gray on Law of Copyright
Bermuda, November 10, 1873. I HAVE the honour to return the Colonial Office Circular despatch of July 29, 1873, reluting to a proposed amendment of the law of copyright, with its inclosures, including the draft Copyright Bill. They should have been returned carlier but for the pressure of other official work, and the time required to master the provisions of the Bill, which is a little involved in its structure.
Under certain conditions it would, no doubt, be practicable materially to check, it not to prevent entirely, the importation of foreign reprints of British publications, or to secure to the copyrighter a reasonable compensation for the use of his literary property. I will not repeat here the arguments for and against such legislation, as affecting a little
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