hereby let it be known that: although reprinting to the prejudice of
those who have acquired books from their authors in an honest way, and who may
well have received privileges for them, was already forbidden by the statute of
27 Febr. 1686, since then it has nevertheless been possible to observe how
unauthorised reprinting to the detriment of Our realm's book trade and printing-
houses has kept on increasing abroad and how reprinted books are even brazenly
imported into Our own lands.
As We are resolved to protect most vigorously legitimate publishers,
both native and foreign, against this and to defend in Our lands the right which
they have acquired from the authors or from Ourself:
We therefore establish, ordain and want that
1.all native and foreign book publishers receive, with regard to any books they
have published in any part of Our realm, immediate justice against the reprinters
who introduce their wares into Our lands and thereby hinder the rightful publishers'
business, as soon as they make an appeal to the appointed authorities of the place
where this occurs; that the sale of the reprints is immediately forbidden and that
the reprinters are urged to repair the damage they have caused