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Fichte: Proof of the Unlawfulness of Reprinting, Berlin (1793)
Source: Berlinische Monatschrift (1793), 443-482
Citation:
Fichte: Proof of the Unlawfulness of Reprinting, Berlin (1793), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
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480
And finally it is said that I cause
the plaintiff hardship. But I must confess
that here my blood really starts to boil. I
must say, my dear Sir, that you should be
ashamed of the unfairness of this accusation.
Have you not already earned enough from your
monopoly? Ah! if I could but share in the
losses you claim to have suffered! Why will
you not allow me to steal whatever I can from
you? Why will you not allow me to take a
few remains? And even since I have been doing
so more energetically, have there not still
been plenty of customers who prefer to buy
your expensive wares rather than my cheap
ones, either because of the supposedly
superior quality of your preparation,
which cannot amount to much, or out of
some old-fashioned prejudice in favour of
legitimate ownership and against
collaboration in the robbery of third
parties? As if I too, if you insist on
speaking of legitimacy in the first place,
did not acquire legitimate ownership of
your wares by dint of the effort I go to
to steal them!
Quite to the contrary, if you would
but look at the situation soberly, it is
to you that I have rendered the greatest
No Transcription available.
Source: Berlinische Monatschrift (1793), 443-482
Citation:
Fichte: Proof of the Unlawfulness of Reprinting, Berlin (1793), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
Back | Record | Images | Commentaries: [1]
Translation only | Transcription only | Show all | Bundled images as pdf
480
And finally it is said that I cause
the plaintiff hardship. But I must confess
that here my blood really starts to boil. I
must say, my dear Sir, that you should be
ashamed of the unfairness of this accusation.
Have you not already earned enough from your
monopoly? Ah! if I could but share in the
losses you claim to have suffered! Why will
you not allow me to steal whatever I can from
you? Why will you not allow me to take a
few remains? And even since I have been doing
so more energetically, have there not still
been plenty of customers who prefer to buy
your expensive wares rather than my cheap
ones, either because of the supposedly
superior quality of your preparation,
which cannot amount to much, or out of
some old-fashioned prejudice in favour of
legitimate ownership and against
collaboration in the robbery of third
parties? As if I too, if you insist on
speaking of legitimacy in the first place,
did not acquire legitimate ownership of
your wares by dint of the effort I go to
to steal them!
Quite to the contrary, if you would
but look at the situation soberly, it is
to you that I have rendered the greatest
No Transcription available.