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Legislation referred to in commentaries


Act against Seditious Words and Rumours uttered against the Queens most excellent Majesty, 1581, 23 Eliz., c.2

1557: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Charter


Act concerning the King's Succession, 1533, 25 Hen.VIII, c.22

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation


Act Extinguishing the Authority of the Bishop of Rome, 1536, 28 Hen.VIII, c.10

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation


Act for an Union of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, 1707, 5 & 6 Anne, c.8

1773: United Kingdom
* Hinton v. Donaldson


Act for Confirming Judicial Proceedings, 1660

1662: United Kingdom
* Licensing Act


Act for granting a bounty upon the exportation of British and Irish buckrams and tillettings, British and Irish linens, British calicoes and cottons, or cotton mixed with linen, printer, painted, stained, or dyed, in Great Britain, 1783, Geo.III, c.21

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act


Act for granting to His Majesty several Rates and Duties upon Indentures, Leases, Bonds and other Deeds; and upon News Papers, Advertisements and Almanacks, 1757, 30 Geo.II, c.19

1710: United Kingdom
* Statute of Anne


Act for granting to Samuel Buckley, Citizen and Stationer of London, the sole Liberty of Printing and Reprinting the Histories of Thuanus, with Additions and Improvements, during the Time therein limited, 1834, 7 Geo.II, c.24.

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Act for Printers, and Binders of Books, 1534, 25 Hen.VIII, c.15

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Act for repealing the duties on paper, pasteboard, milleboard, scaleboard, and glazed paper; and for granting other duties in lieu thereof, 1794, 34 Geo.III., c.20

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Act for the Due Execution of Proclamations, 1542, 34 & 35 Hen.VIII, c.23

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation


Act for the more effectual suppressing of Blasphemy and Prophaneness, 1698, 9 & 10 Will.III, c.32

1690: United Kingdom
* Locke's Second Treatise on Government (selected extracts)


Act for the Regulating of the Privy Council, and for taking away the Court commonly called the Star-Chamber, 1640, 16 Car.I, c.10

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree

1643: United Kingdom
* The Humble Remonstrance of the Stationers' Company


Act for [the] safety and preservation of his Majesty's person and government, against treasonable and seditious practices and attempts, 1661, 13 Charles II, c.1

1662: United Kingdom
* Licensing Act


Act in Restraint of Appeals, 1533, 25 Hen.VIII, c.19

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation


Act of Supremacy, 1534, 26 Hen.VIII, c.1

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


Act of Supremacy, 1559, 1 Eliz., c.1

1557: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Charter

1559: United Kingdom
* Elizabethan Injunctions

1566: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree


Act of Union, 1800, 40 Geo.III, c.38

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Act that Proclamations Made by the King Shall be Obeyed, 1539, 31 Hen.VIII, c.8

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation


Act to enable the Legislatures of certain British Possessions to reduce or repeal certain Duties of Customs, 1846, 9 & 10 Vict., c.94

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act


Act to prevent the seducing of artificers or workmen employed in printing calicoes, cottons, muslins, and linens, or in making or preparing blocks, plates or other implements used in that manufactory, to go to parts beyond the seas; and to prohibit the exporting to foreign parts of any such blocks, plates or other implements, 1782, Geo.III, c.60

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act


Act to reduce, under certain Circumstances, the Duties payable upon Books and Engravings, 1844, 7 & 8 Vict., c.73

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Act whereby Offences be made High Treason, and taking away all Sanctuaries for all manner of High Treasons, 1534, 26 Hen.VIII, c.13

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1538: United Kingdom
* Henrician Proclamation

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent


An Act for licensing and regulating hackney coaches and chairs..., 1710, 9 Anne, c.23

1775: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Company v. Carnan


An Act for Printers, and Binders of Books, 1534, 25 Hen.VIII, c.15

1559 : United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


An Act whereby Offences be made High treason, and taking away all Sanctuaries for all manner of High Treasons, 1534, 26 Hen.VIII, c.13

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


Anglo-Belgian Copyright Treaty 1854

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Anglo-French Copyright Treaty 1851

1852: France
* French International Copyright Act

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1853: USA
* Stowe v. Thomas

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Anglo-German Copyright Treaty 1886

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Anglo-Prussian Copyright Treaty 1846

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Anglo-Sardinian Copyright Treaty 1860

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Anglo-Saxonian Copyright Treaty 1846

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Anglo-Spanish Copyright Treaty 1857

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Anglo-Spanish Copyright Treaty 1880

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Augsburg Printers' Ordinance 1713

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Austrian Copyright Act 1846

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1840: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Austria and Sardinia

1846: Germany
* Austrian Copyright Act


Austrian Copyright Act 1895

1846: Germany
* Austrian Copyright Act


Austrian decree of 1775 penalising the reprinting of Austrian-published books

1781: Germany
* Austrian Statutes on Censorship and Printing


Austrian Statutes on Censorship and Printing 1781

1781: Germany
* Austrian Statutes on Censorship and Printing


Austro-Sardinian Copyright Treaty 1840

1840: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Austria and Sardinia

1846: Germany
* Austrian Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain


Baden printing regulation 1806

1809: Germany
* Baden Civil Code

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act


Baden Statute Book 1809

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1809: Germany
* Baden Civil Code

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act


Basel Printers' Statute 1531

1531: Germany
* Basel Printers' Statute

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Bavarian Copyright Act 1840

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Bavarian Copyright Act 1865

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1867: Germany
* Mandry: Commentary on the Bavarian Copyright Act of 1865

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Bavarian decree (1645), requiring printers to obtain both Imperial and ducal privileges

1513: Germany
* Imperial privilege for Eucharius Rösslin


Berlin Act 1908 (Revision of the Berne Convention)

1884: Germany
* Orelli: "Swiss Copyright Act 1883 with comments and appendices"


Berne Convention 1886

1474: Italy
* Venetian Statute on Industrial Brevets

1852: France
* French International Copyright Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report

1884: Germany
* Orelli: "Swiss Copyright Act 1883 with comments and appendices"

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


Berne Implementation Act, 1988, Pub. L. No.100-568, 100th Congr., 2d Sess., 102 Stat. 2853 (U.S.)

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


British North America Act, 1867, 30 & 31 Vict., c.3

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report


Calico Printers' Act, 1787, 27 Geo.III, c.38

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1869: France
* Court of Cassation on originality


Canadian Copyright Act, 1868, 31 Vict., c.54

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report


Canadian Copyright Act, 1875, 38 & 39 Vict., c.53

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Carlsbad Decrees 1819

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


Code civil (Napoleonic code) 1804

1809: Germany
* Baden Civil Code

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays

1842: France
* Court of Cassation on artistic property

1861: France
* Court of Cassation on telegraphic news


Code de la Librairie 1723

1701: France
* Royal letters patent

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie

1761: France
* La Fontaine case

1770: France
* Luneau de Boisjermain's case


Code Pénal 1810

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on sculptures

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays

1845: France
* Court of Appeal on translations

1862: France
* Court of Cassation on photography


Colonial Laws Validity Act, 1865, 28 & 29 Vict., c.63

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report


Comédie-Française regulations (Decree of 9 December 1780)

1780: France
* Dramatic Act


Connecticut Copyright Statute 1783

1783: USA
  Ledyard Petition Committee Report

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Copyright Act for the German Empire 1870

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act

1870: Germany
* Copyright Act for the German Empire

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Copyright Act for the German Empire 1901

1870: Germany
* Copyright Act for the German Empire


Copyright Acts for the German Empire 1876

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act

1870: Germany
* Copyright Act for the German Empire

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


Copyright Act, 1801, 41 Geo.III, c.107

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey


Copyright Act, 1814, 54 Geo.III, c.156

1798: United Kingdom
* Beckford v. Hood

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1831: USA
* Copyright Act

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1842: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Copyright Act, 1911, 1 & 2 Geo.V, c.46

1721: United Kingdom
* Burnet v. Chetwood

1741: United Kingdom
* Gyles v. Wilcox (Atkyn's Reports)

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1842: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Copyright Amendment Act, 1842, 5 & 6 Vict., c.45

1667: United Kingdom
* Milton's Contract

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1835: United Kingdom
* Publication of Lectures Act

1841: France
* Report of Lamartine and parliamentary debates on literary property

1842: United Kingdom
* Lowndes' Historical Sketch of the Law of Copyright

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Copyright in Prints and Engravings (Ireland) Act, 1836, 6 & 7 Will.IV, c.59

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act


Copyright of Designs Act, 1839, 2 Vict., c.12

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1879: USA
* Baker v. Selden


Copyright of Designs Act, 1842, 5 & 6 Vict., c.100

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Copyright Treaty between Britain and Hamburg 1853

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Customs Act, 1825, 6 Geo.IV, c.107

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Customs Act, 1833, 3 & 4 Will.IV, c.52

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Customs Act, 1842, 5 & 6 Vict., c.47

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act


Customs Act, 1845, 8 & 9 Vict., c.93

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act


Decree of the King's Council on the duration of privileges (1777)

1507: France
* Eloy d'Amerval's privilege

1515: France
* Galliot Du Pré's Privilege

1701: France
* Royal letters patent

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie

1759: France
* Sieur d'Anville's contract

1761: France
* La Fontaine case

1762: France
* Royal declaration on privileges granted to inventors

1763: France
* Diderot's Letter on the book trade

1770: France
* Luneau de Boisjermain's case

1776: France
* Fragments on the Freedom of the Press

1777: France
* Linguet's memorandum

1778: France
* Pluquet's letters

1780: Italy
  Venetian Reprint of the French Decree of 30 August 1777, on the duration of privileges

1786: France
* French Decree on Musical Publications

1791: France
* Report of François Hell to the National Assembly

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on compilations


Decree of the King's Council (1665), on the supervision of provincial booksellers

1701: France
* Royal letters patent


Decree of the King's Council (1665), regulating the French book trade

1686: France
* Book trade regulations


Decree of the King's Council (1725), regulating the Parisian book trade

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Decree of the King's Council (1744), applying the Code de la Librairie (1726) to all of France

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Designers and Printers Act, 1794, 34 Geo.III, c.23

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act


Directive of reciprocal protection within the German Confederation (1837)

1781: Germany
* Austrian Statutes on Censorship and Printing

1815: Germany
* Annotated Publishers' Petition to the Congress of Vienna

1827: Germany
* Treaties on reciprocal protection between Prussia and various German States

1830: Germany
* Amended music publishers' agreement against piracy

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act

1844: Germany
* Saxon Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Austrian Copyright Act


Dramatic Literary Property Act, 1833, 3 & 4 Will.IV, c.15

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1842: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1856: USA
* Copyright Act Amendment

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Edict of Worms (1521)

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica


Edict on the civil status of Jews in the state of Prussia 1812

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays


Elizabethan Injunctions 1559

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree


Engravers' Copyright Act, 1735, 8 Geo.II, c.13

1735: United Kingdom
* Engravers' Copyright Act

1737: United Kingdom
* Booksellers' Bill

1741: United Kingdom
* Gyles v. Wilcox (Atkyn's Reports)

1773: United Kingdom
* Hinton v. Donaldson

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act

1798: United Kingdom
* Beckford v. Hood

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Engravers' Copyright Act, 1766, 7 Geo.III, c.38

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act

1798: United Kingdom
* Beckford v. Hood

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Engravers' Copyright Act, 1777, 17 Geo.III, c.57

1798: United Kingdom
* Beckford v. Hood

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act


Fine Art Copyright Act, 1862, 25 & 26 Vict., c.68

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1869: France
* Court of Cassation on originality

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Foreign Reprints Act, 1847, 10 & 11 Vict., c.95

1847: United Kingdom
* Foreign Reprints Act

1878: United Kingdom
* Royal Commissioners' Report

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Franco-Bavarian Copyright Treaty 1865

1867: Germany
* Mandry: Commentary on the Bavarian Copyright Act of 1865


Franco-Saxonian Copyright Treaty 1856

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain


Franco-Swiss Copyright Treaty 1864

1884: Germany
* Orelli: "Swiss Copyright Act 1883 with comments and appendices"


Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance 1573

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance 1660

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance (1598)

1598: Germany
  Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance (1660)

1598: Germany
  Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Frankfurt Printers' Regulation 1588

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


French Copyright Act 1793

1749: France
* Crébillon case

1776: France
* Fragments on the Freedom of the Press

1777: France
* Linguet's memorandum

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1809: Germany
* Baden Civil Code

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on compilations

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on sculptures

1826: France
* Minutes of the 1825-1826 Commission

1828: United Kingdom
* Maugham's Treatise

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1841: France
* Report of Lamartine and parliamentary debates on literary property

1842: France
* Court of Cassation on artistic property

1845: France
* Court of Appeal on translations

1861: France
* Court of Cassation on telegraphic news

1862: France
* Court of Cassation on photography

1866: France
* Literary and artistic property act

1869: France
* Court of Cassation on originality


French Decree on Music Publications 1786

1786: France
* French Decree on Musical Publications


French International Copyright Act 1852

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1852: France
* French International Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


French Law 1910, requiring future royalties for reproductions of works of art to be paid to the artist or his estate

1842: France
* Court of Cassation on artistic property


French letters patent on the profession of engraving (1734)

1660: France
* Decree on Engravings


French Literary and Artistic Property Act 1866

1862: France
* Proudhon: "Les Majorats littéraires"

1866: France
* Literary and artistic property act


French royal declaration on sculpture and painting (1777)

1777: France
* Royal declaration on sculpture and painting

1842: France
* Court of Cassation on artistic property


French royal decree on the fine arts (1714)

1676: France
* Decree on Sculptures

1777: France
* Royal declaration on sculpture and painting


French royal decree on the profession of engraving (1660)

1660: France
* Decree on Engravings


French royal decree prohibiting the copying of sculptures (1676)

1676: France
* Decree on Sculptures

1777: France
* Royal declaration on sculpture and painting


French royal edict on censorship 1547

1515: France
* Galliot Du Pré's Privilege

1545: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Author-Printer Relations

1547: France
* French Censorship Act


French royal edict on censorship 1551

1547: France
* French Censorship Act


French Royal Letters Patent (1701), on the book trade

1701: France
* Royal letters patent

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Gdansk Printing Regulation 1684

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Georgia Copyright Statute 1786

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


German Civil Code 1900 (BGB)

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1809: Germany
* Baden Civil Code

1870: Germany
* Copyright Act for the German Empire

1880: Germany
* Kohler: Author's Right


German Copyright Act 1965

1853: Germany
* Bluntschli: On Authors' Rights

1880: Germany
* Kohler: Author's Right


German Federal Act 1815

1815: Germany
* Annotated Publishers' Petition to the Congress of Vienna

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


German federal directive prohibiting reprinting, 1835

1827: Germany
* Treaties on reciprocal protection between Prussia and various German States


German federal directive (10 June 1845), instituting lifelong copyright and post mortem term

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1846: Germany
* Austrian Copyright Act


German federal directive (12 March 1857), on performance rights

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


German federal directive (22 April 1841), on performance rights

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


German federal directive (6 November 1856), extending the protection term

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


German federal directive, 1832

1835: Germany
* Copyright statement of Johann Strauss for Austria and Prussia


German Imperial Rescript (1685), forbidding illicit reprinting

1549: Germany
* Electoral Saxon Printing and Censorship Acts from 1549 to 1717


German law of 1901 recognising authors' unrestricted performance rights

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays


Germany-U.S.A. Copyright Treaty 1892

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


Hamburg Printers' Ordinance 1651

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Imperial Books Constitution 1608

1511: Germany
* Imperial Privilege for Arnolt Schlick


Imperial Diet resolution (1524), prohibiting defamatory works

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica


Imperial Diet resolution (1529), installing pre-publication censorship

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica


Imperial Diet resolution (1530), on the supervision of local printers

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica


Imperial Statute Book (Reichspolizeiordnung) 1548

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Imperial Statute Book (Reichspolizeiordnung) 1577

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Imperial Statute Book (1548)

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica

1513: Germany
* Imperial privilege for Eucharius Rösslin


Imperial Statute Book (1577)

1501: Germany
* Imperial Senate privilege to the Sodalitas Celtica


Importation Act, 1739, 12 Geo.II, c.36

1773: United Kingdom
* Hinton v. Donaldson

1777: United Kingdom
* Bach v. Longman

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


In what Sort Italian Merchants may sell Merchandises; Several Restraints of Aliens, 1484, 1 Ric.III, c.9

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


Intellectual Property Code (France)

1842: France
* Court of Cassation on artistic property


International Copyright Act, 1838, 1 & 2 Vict., c.59

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


International Copyright Act, 1844, 7 & 8 Vict., c.12

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


International Copyright Act, 1852, 15 & 16 Vict., c.12

1721: United Kingdom
* Burnet v. Chetwood

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1853: USA
* Stowe v. Thomas

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


International Copyright Act, 1886, 49 & 50 Vict., c.33

1886: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


Law of 11 March 1902 (France), establishing author's rights for sculptors and designers

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on sculptures


Law of 14 July 1909 (France), on designs and patterns

1814: France
* Court of Cassation on sculptures


Library Deposit Act, 1836, 6 & 7 Will.IV, c.110

1842: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act


Licensing Act, 1662, 13 & 14 Car.II, c.33

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree

1662: United Kingdom
* Licensing Act

1667: United Kingdom
* Milton's Contract

1672: USA
* Usher's Printing Privilege

1690: United Kingdom
* Locke's Second Treatise on Government (selected extracts)

1704: United Kingdom
* Defoe's Essay on the Press

1710: United Kingdom
* Statute of Anne

1737: United Kingdom
* Booksellers' Bill

1761: France
* La Fontaine case

1762: United Kingdom
* Tonson v. Collins

1775: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Company v. Carnan

1777: United Kingdom
* Bach v. Longman

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1870: United Kingdom
* Copinger's Law of Copyright


Licensing Act, 1737, 10 Geo.II, c.28

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act


Magna Carta, 1297, 25 Edw.I, c.9

1624: United Kingdom
* Statute of Monopolies

1775: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Company v. Carnan


Maryland Literary Property Statute 1783

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Massachusetts Copyright Statute 1783

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Models and Busts Act, 1798, 38 Geo.III, c.71

1787: United Kingdom
* Calico Printers' Act

1798: United Kingdom
* Models and Busts Act

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


New Hampshire Copyright Statute 1783

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


New Jersey Copyright Statute 1783

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


New York Copyright Statute 1786

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


North Carolina Literary Property Statute 1785

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Nuremberg Printers' Ordinance 1673

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Papal printing privilege for Antonio Blado (1531)

1531: Italy
* Bernardo Giunti's privilege for Machiavelli's works


Papal printing privilege for Filippo Giunti's heirs (1531)

1531: Italy
* Bernardo Giunti's privilege for Machiavelli's works


Paris Act 1971 (Revision of the Berne Convention)

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


Parisian Book Trade Regulations 1618

1507: France
* Eloy d'Amerval's privilege

1515: France
* Galliot Du Pré's Privilege

1618: France
* Book trade regulations and incorporation of the Parisian book trade


Parisian Book Trade Regulations 1665

1690: France
* Memorandum on the dispute between the Parisian and the provincial booksellers

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Parisian Book Trade Regulations 1686

1686: France
* Book trade regulations

1690: France
* Memorandum on the dispute between the Parisian and the provincial booksellers

1701: France
* Royal letters patent

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Peace of Westphalia 1649

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Pennsylvania Copyright Statute 1784

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Prussian bilateral treaties with German states (1827-1829)

1827: Germany
* Treaties on reciprocal protection between Prussia and various German States

1835: Germany
* Copyright statement of Johann Strauss for Austria and Prussia

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


Prussian Cabinet Order (1766), forbidding all reprinting

1765: Germany
  Reich v. Pauli

1765: Germany
* Philipp Erasmus Reich and the Leipzig publishers' cartel

1766: Germany
  Prussian Cabinet Order

1773: Germany
* Saxonian Statute

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)


Prussian Copyright Act 1837

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1830: Germany
* Amended music publishers' agreement against piracy

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays

1835: Germany
* Copyright statement of Johann Strauss for Austria and Prussia

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1844: Germany
* Saxon Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain

1870: Germany
* Copyright Act for the German Empire

1876: Germany
* Copyright Acts for the German Empire regarding works of art, photography, and designs


Prussian Statute Book 1794 (ALR)

1766: Germany
  Prussian Cabinet Order

1785: Germany
* Kant: On the Unlawfulness of Reprinting

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1830: Germany
* Amended music publishers' agreement against piracy

1832: Germany
* Gans: On the right to perform published stage plays

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1837: Germany
* Prussian Copyright Act


Publication of Lectures Act, 1835, 5 & 6 Will.IV, c.65

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1835: United Kingdom
* Publication of Lectures Act


Rhode Island Copyright Statute 1783

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Royal declaration on privileges granted to inventors (1762)

1762: France
* Royal declaration on privileges granted to inventors

1778: France
* Pluquet's letters


Royal Letters Patent of 1649

1650: France
* Vitré's memorandum on the prolongation of privileges


Ruling of the Parlement of Paris (1657), forbidding new editions unless the work had been significantly enlarged

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie


Sardinian domestic legislation 1840

1840: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Austria and Sardinia


Saxon Statute 1594, On reprinting

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Saxonian Copyright Act 1844

1830: Germany
* Amended music publishers' agreement against piracy

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation

1844: Germany
* Saxon Copyright Act


Saxonian Statute (1773), on regulation of the book trade

1513: Germany
* Imperial privilege for Eucharius Rösslin

1765: Germany
* Philipp Erasmus Reich and the Leipzig publishers' cartel

1773: Germany
* Saxonian Statute

1781: Germany
* Austrian Statutes on Censorship and Printing

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1796: Germany
  Lobethan: On Publishers' Privileges

1844: Germany
* Saxon Copyright Act

1846: Germany
* Bilateral Treaty between Prussia and Britain


Sculpture Copyright Act, 1814, 54 Geo.III, c.56

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1862: United Kingdom
* Fine Art Copyright Act


Several Restraints of Aliens, 1484, 1 Ric.III, c.9.

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act


South Carolina Copyright Statute 1784

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute


Stamp Act, 1711, 10 Anne, c.19

1710: United Kingdom
* Statute of Anne

1737: United Kingdom
* Booksellers' Bill


Star Chamber Decree 1566

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree


Star Chamber Decree 1586

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree


Star Chamber Decree 1637

1643: United Kingdom
* The Humble Remonstrance of the Stationers' Company

1662: United Kingdom
* Licensing Act


Statute of Anne, 1710, 8 Anne, c.19

1498: Italy
* Ottaviano Petrucci's Music Patent

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent

1557: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Charter

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass

1624: United Kingdom
* Statute of Monopolies

1637: United Kingdom
* Star Chamber Decree

1667: United Kingdom
* Milton's Contract

1672: USA
* Usher's Printing Privilege

1690: United Kingdom
* Locke's Second Treatise on Government (selected extracts)

1704: United Kingdom
* Defoe's Essay on the Press

1710: United Kingdom
* Statute of Anne

1721: United Kingdom
* Burnet v. Chetwood

1723: France
* Code de la Librairie

1735: United Kingdom
* Engravers' Copyright Act

1737: United Kingdom
* Booksellers' Bill

1741: United Kingdom
* Gyles v. Wilcox (Atkyn's Reports)

1741: United Kingdom
* Pope v. Curl

1759: France
* Sieur d'Anville's contract

1762: United Kingdom
* An Enquiry into Literary Property

1762: United Kingdom
* Tonson v. Collins

1769: United Kingdom
* Millar v. Taylor

1773: United Kingdom
* Hinton v. Donaldson

1774: United Kingdom
* Donaldson v. Becket

1777: France
* Linguet's memorandum

1777: United Kingdom
* Bach v. Longman

1778: France
* Pluquet's letters

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute

1789: USA
* The Constitutional Copyright Clause

1790: Germany
* J.F.F. Ganz's draft for a general ban on reprinting within the whole Empire

1790: USA
* Copyright Act

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1798: United Kingdom
* Beckford v. Hood

1801: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act

1828: United Kingdom
* Maugham's Treatise

1833: United Kingdom
* Dramatic Literary Property Act

1835: United Kingdom
* Publication of Lectures Act

1838: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1842: United Kingdom
* Lowndes' Historical Sketch of the Law of Copyright

1844: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1852: United Kingdom
* International Copyright Act

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1856: USA
* Copyright Act Amendment

1870: United Kingdom
* Copinger's Law of Copyright


Statute of Anne, 1710, 8 Ann. c. 19

1831: USA
* Copyright Act

1847: USA
* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright


Statute of Monopolies, 1624, 21 Jac.I, c.3

1474: Italy
* Venetian Statute on Industrial Brevets

1624: United Kingdom
* Statute of Monopolies

1710: United Kingdom
* Statute of Anne

1775: United Kingdom
* Stationers' Company v. Carnan

1790: USA
* Copyright Act


Strasbourg Printers' Ordinance 1619

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance


Swiss Copyright Act 1883

1884: Germany
* Orelli: "Swiss Copyright Act 1883 with comments and appendices"


Swiss Copyright Act 1922

1884: Germany
* Orelli: "Swiss Copyright Act 1883 with comments and appendices"


Touching Artificers Strangers, what they may do as concerning retaining Apprentices, Journeymen, &c., 1529, 21 Hen.VIII, c.16

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


Universities Act, 1775, 15 Geo.III, c.53

1774: United Kingdom
* Donaldson v. Becket

1814: United Kingdom
* Copyright Act


U.S. Constitutional Copyright Clause 1789

1789: USA
  Ramsay's Petiton House Record

1789: USA
* The Constitutional Copyright Clause

1790: USA
* Copyright Act

1847: USA
* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright

1869: France
* Court of Cassation on originality

1903: USA
* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co.


U.S. Copyright Act 1790, 1 Stat. 124 (1790)

1790: USA
* Copyright Act

1831: USA
* Copyright Act

1847: USA
* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright

1903: USA
* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co.


U.S. Copyright Act 1802 (Amendment of 1790 Act), 2 Stat. 171 (1802)

1790: USA
* Copyright Act

1802: USA
  1802 Amendment

1831: USA
* Copyright Act


U.S. Copyright Act 1831, 21st Cong., 2d Sess., 4 Stat. 436

1828: USA
  H.R. 140 Committee Bill

1828: USA
  H.R. 140 Consolidated Bill

1830: USA
  Judiciary Committee Report

1831: USA
* Copyright Act

1847: USA
* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1856: USA
* Copyright Act Amendment

1903: USA
* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co.


U.S. Copyright Act 1870, 16 Stat. 198

1853: USA
* Stowe v. Thomas


U.S. Copyright Act 1909

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


U.S. Copyright Act 1976

1794: Germany
* Prussian Statute Book (ALR)

1879: USA
* Baker v. Selden


U.S. Copyright Amendment Act 1856, 11 Stat. 138

1856: USA
* Copyright Act Amendment


U.S. Copyright Amendment Act 1897 (public performance right in musical works), 29 Stat. 481, c.4

1897: USA
* Copyright Act (Public Performance of Musical Compositions)


U.S. Industrial Designs Protection Act 1842, 5 Stat. 543

1879: USA
* Baker v. Selden


U.S. International Copyright Act, 1891 (Chace Act)

1853: USA
* Stowe v. Thomas

1854: United Kingdom
* Jeffreys v. Boosey

1892: Germany
* Bilateral treaty between the German Reich and the U.S.A.


U.S. Patent Act 1790

1789: USA
  House Joint copyright and patent bill decision

1789: USA
  Joint Copyright Patent Bill [H.R. 10]

1789: USA
* The Constitutional Copyright Clause

1790: USA
* Copyright Act


U.S. Patent Act 1819

1841: USA
* Folsom v. Marsh


U.S. Patent Act 1861

1879: USA
* Baker v. Selden


Venetian Capitularies for the Guild of Glassmakers (1271, 1281, 1295)

1474: Italy
* Venetian Statute on Industrial Brevets


Venetian decree establishing perpetuity of privileges (1780)

1780: Italy
  Venetian Reprint of the French Decree of 30 August 1777, on the duration of privileges

1780: Italy
* "Pezzana e Consorti" case: supporting documents


Venetian decree establishing the "Università di Stampatori e Librai" (1549)

1545: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Author-Printer Relations


Venetian decree on censorial revision of books by the Commissioners of the University of Padua (1545)

1517: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Press Affairs

1545: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Author-Printer Relations


Venetian decree on privileges for new books and reprints (1603)

1603: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Privileges for New Books and Reprints


Venetian decree on privileges (1517)

1474: Italy
* Venetian Statute on Industrial Brevets

1517: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Press Affairs

1545: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Author-Printer Relations


Venetian decree, declaring books whose privileges had expired to belong to the public domain (1789)

1780: Italy
* "Pezzana e Consorti" case: supporting documents


Venetian monopoly to Aldus Manutius for printing in Greek typeface (1496)

1503: Italy
* Aldus Manutius's Warning against the Printers of Lyon


Venetian printing privilege for Ariosto (1515)

1545: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Author-Printer Relations


Venetian printing privilege for Daniele Barbaro (1493)

1486: Italy
* Marco Antonio Sabellico's Printing Privilege


Venetian printing privilege for Marco Antonio Sabellico (1486)

1517: Italy
* Venetian Decree on Press Affairs


Venetian printing privilege for Pietro Francesco of Ravenna (1492)

1486: Italy
* Marco Antonio Sabellico's Printing Privilege


Venetian privilege to Aldus Manutius for the exclusive use of a chancery cursive typeface (1502)

1503: Italy
* Aldus Manutius's Warning against the Printers of Lyon


Venetian Statute on industrial brevets (1474)

1474: Italy
* Venetian Statute on Industrial Brevets

1762: France
* Royal declaration on privileges granted to inventors


Virginia Copyright Statute 1785

1783: USA
* Connecticut Copyright Statute

1784: USA
  Letter from Noah Webster to James Madison


What Apprentices strange Artificers shall take, &c., 1523, 14 & 15 Hen.VIII, c.2

1518: United Kingdom
* The Articles of the Pope's Bulle

1553: United Kingdom
* Totell's Printing Patent


What Apprentices strange Artificers shall take, &c., 1523, 14&15 Hen.VIII, c.2

1559: United Kingdom
* Day's privilege for The Cosmographical Glass


Württemberg Copyright Act 1838

1815: Germany
* Annotated Publishers' Petition to the Congress of Vienna

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


Württemberg Copyright Act 1845

1837: Germany
* Directive for reciprocal copyright protection within the German Confederation


Zurich Printers' Ordinance 1660

1660: Germany
* Frankfurt Printers' Ordinance

Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, 10 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DZ, UK