PRIMARY SOURCES

ON COPYRIGHT

(1450-1900)


This is a freely-accessible, publicly-funded digital archive that collects together significant documents relating to the history of copyright law and practice. The documents have been selected by national editors, with the input of an editorial advisory board. Key documents are, where appropriate, transcribed and translated. The editors have written commentaries, explaining the reasons for selecting documents and their significance. The project was launched in 2008, initially funded by the AHRC in relation to 5 countries. Since 2024 it is supported by the AHRC as UK research infrastructure. The archive now extends to more than 20 (including historical and religious) jurisdictions and over 700 primary source documents. They can be browsed by date/language/jurisdiction, or searched.


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All documents for United States: Institution

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1896The Question of Copyright
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1863Hardee's Memorial
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1790-1800Sample registrations
1843An Address to the People of the United States
1896The Question of Copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1838Address of Certain Authors
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1838Address of Certain Authors
1896The Question of Copyright
1843An Address to the People of the United States
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896The Question of Copyright
1893Falk v. Donaldson
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1853Letters on International copyright
1896The Question of Copyright
1891Falk v. Brett Lithographing Co.
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853British-American Copyright Convention Draft
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1902Bleistein's Brief
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1782Letter from Smith to Webster
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1861* Confederate States of America Copyright Act
1863Confederate States of America Copyright Act Amendement
1863Hardee's Memorial
1863International Copyright Resolution
1861* Confederate States of America Copyright Act
1863Hardee's Memorial
1861* Confederate States of America Copyright Act
1894H.R. 6835 (Cummings Bill)
1782Letter from Smith to Webster
1787Constitutional Convention Journal Entry
1781* Andrew Law's Petition Commentary: [1]
1781Andrew Law's Privilege
1783Petition of John Ledyard
1783* Connecticut Copyright Statute Commentary: [1]
1783Ledyard Petition Committee Report
1783* Connecticut Copyright Statute Commentary: [1]
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1787Madison's Journal Record
1787Madison's Edited Journal Record
1788The Federalist No. 43
1873Committee on the Library Report
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1783Letter from Joel Barlow to the Continental Congress
1783Continental Congress Resolution
1853* Stowe v. Thomas Commentary: [1]
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1879* Baker v. Selden Commentary: [1]
1883Sarony's Brief
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1902Bleistein: Donaldson Lithographing Co. Brief
1784South Carolina Copyright Statute
1792Purcell's Printing Privilege
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1830Judiciary Committee Report
1831House Debate
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1883Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1900Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., Circuit Court Decision
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1888American Authors and British Pirates
1786Georgia Copyright Statute
1786Georgia Copyright Statute
1883Sarony's Brief
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1896The Question of Copyright
1896The Question of Copyright
1783Massachusetts Copyright Statute
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Letters on International copyright
1838Address of Certain Authors
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1883Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony
1888American Authors and British Pirates
1896The Question of Copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896The Question of Copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1842Memorial of a Number of Persons Concerned in Printing and Publishing
1837Debates in Congress
1870Committee Report on S.703
1873Committee on the Library Report
1826Letter from Daniel Webster to Noah Webster
1828H.R. 140 Committee Bill
1830Judiciary Committee Report
1831* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1842Memorial of a Number of Persons Concerned in Printing and Publishing
1899Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., District Court Decision
1900Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., Circuit Court Decision
1902Bleistein's Brief
1903* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co. Commentary: [1]
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1844H.R. 9 (Ingersoll Bill)
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Complainant's Bill
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Defendant's Answer
1853Affidavit of Harriet Beecher Stowe
1865* Copyright Act Amendment
1870* Copyright Act
1872International Copyright Bill
1883Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony
1883Sarony's Brief
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1885Carte v. Duff
1886Committee on Patents Report
1888American Authors and British Pirates
1891* International Copyright Act (The Chace Act)
1893Falk v. Donaldson
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1896The Question of Copyright
1899Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., District Court Decision
1900Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., Circuit Court Decision
1902Bleistein's Brief
1902Bleistein: Donaldson Lithographing Co. Brief
1902Bleistein's Brief
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1790-1800Sample registrations
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Complainant's Bill
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Defendant's Answer
1853Affidavit of Harriet Beecher Stowe
1700Bladen's Privilege
1783Maryland Copyright Statute
1700Bladen's Privilege
1841* Folsom v. Marsh Commentary: [1]
1841Master in Chancery Report
1896The Question of Copyright
1790-1800Sample registrations
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1672* Usher's Printing Privilege Commentary: [1]
1772William Billings' Second Petition
1772William Billings' Second Petition
1772William Billings' Printing Privilege
1782Letter from Smith to Webster
1783Massachusetts Copyright Statute
1783Massachusetts Copyright Statute
1772William Billings' Printing Privilege
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1863Hardee's Memorial
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1782Letter from Smith to Webster
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1838Address of Certain Authors
1879Baker's Argument
1783New Jersey Copyright Statute
1783New Jersey Copyright Statute
1883Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony
1885Carte v. Duff
1891Falk v. Brett Lithographing Co.
1893Falk v. Donaldson
1786New York Copyright Statute
1786New York Copyright Statute
1750New York Law Printing Privilege
1772Second New York Law Printing Privilege
1786New York Copyright Statute
1772Second New York Law Printing Privilege
1786New York Copyright Statute
1838Memorial of the New York Typographical Society
1785North Carolina Copyright Statute
1879* Baker v. Selden Commentary: [1]
1879Selden's Argument
1879Baker's Argument
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1853* Stowe v. Thomas Commentary: [1]
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1826Letter from Noah Webster to Daniel Webster
1830Judiciary Committee Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1853Letters on International copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1838Report, from the Committee on Patents
1838Memorial of the New York Typographical Society
1838Memorial of a Number of Citizens of Boston
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1870* Copyright Act
1879* Baker v. Selden Commentary: [1]
1879Baker's Argument
1883Sarony's Brief
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1902Bleistein's Brief
1902Bleistein: Donaldson Lithographing Co. Brief
1790-1800Sample registrations
1853* Stowe v. Thomas Commentary: [1]
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Complainant's Bill
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Defendant's Answer
1853Affidavit of Harriet Beecher Stowe
1853'Uncle Tom' at Law
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1784Pennsylvania Copyright Statute
1896The Question of Copyright
1782Letter from Smith to Webster
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1784Pennsylvania Copyright Statute
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1783Rhode Island Copyright Statute
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1896The Question of Copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1863Hardee's Memorial
1896The Question of Copyright
1896The Question of Copyright
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Letters on International copyright
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Complainant's Bill
1853Stowe v. Thomas, Defendant's Answer
1853Affidavit of Harriet Beecher Stowe
1896The Question of Copyright
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1784South Carolina Copyright Statute
1792Purcell's Printing Privilege
1784South Carolina Copyright Statute
1784South Carolina Copyright Statute
1792Purcell's Printing Privilege
1885Carte v. Duff
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853British-American Copyright Convention Draft
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1826Letter from Noah Webster to Daniel Webster
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1853British-American Copyright Convention Draft
1896The Question of Copyright
1861* Confederate States of America Copyright Act
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853* Stowe v. Thomas Commentary: [1]
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1789* The Constitutional Copyright Clause Commentary: [1]
1789Joint Copyright Patent Bill [H.R. 10]
1790* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
18021802 Amendment
1828H.R. 140 Committee Bill
1828H.R. 140 Consolidated Bill
1830Judiciary Committee Report
1831* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1831House Debate
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1834Letters from Sumner to Story
1838Address of Certain Authors
1837Petition of British Authors
1837Debates in Congress
1837Memorial of a Number of Citizens of the United States
1838Report, from the Committee on Patents
1841* Folsom v. Marsh Commentary: [1]
1841S. 227 (Dramatic Works Public Performance Bill)
1843An Address to the People of the United States
1844H.R. 9 (Ingersoll Bill)
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Letters on International copyright
1856* Copyright Act Amendment Commentary: [1]
1863Hardee's Memorial
1865* Copyright Act Amendment
1870Committee Report on S.703
1870* Copyright Act
1872International Copyright Bill
1873Committee on the Library Report
1879* Baker v. Selden Commentary: [1]
1879Baker's Argument
1883Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony
1883Sarony's Brief
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1885Carte v. Duff
1886Committee on Patents Report
1888American Authors and British Pirates
1888The International Copyright Bill
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1891* International Copyright Act (The Chace Act)
1894Report on H.R. 6835
1896Public Performance Bill
1896Report on H.R. 1978
1896Report on S. 2306
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1896Debate in Congress
1896The Question of Copyright
1897* Copyright Act (Public Performance of Musical Compositions)
1899Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., District Court Decision
1902Bleistein's Brief
1902Bleistein: Donaldson Lithographing Co. Brief
1903* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co. Commentary: [1]
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1896The Question of Copyright
1900Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co., Circuit Court Decision
1902Bleistein's Brief
1903* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co. Commentary: [1]
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1853British-American Copyright Convention Draft
1870* Copyright Act
1844H.R. 9 (Ingersoll Bill)
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1828H.R. 140 Consolidated Bill
1831* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1870Committee Report on S.703
1789House Joint copyright and patent bill decision
1789Joint Copyright Patent Bill [H.R. 10]
1790* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1834Letters from Sumner to Story
1838Address of Certain Authors
1837Memorial of a Number of Citizens of the United States
1838Memorial of a Number of Citizens of Boston
1841S. 227 (Dramatic Works Public Performance Bill)
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Letters on International copyright
1856* Copyright Act Amendment Commentary: [1]
1865* Copyright Act Amendment
1870* Copyright Act
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1894Report on H.R. 6835
1896Report on H.R. 1978
1896Report on S. 2306
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896Treloar Copyright Bill (H.R. 5976)
1896The Question of Copyright
1790* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1828H.R. 140 Consolidated Bill
1831* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1789Joint Copyright Patent Bill [H.R. 10]
1789Ramsay's Petition
1790* Copyright Act Commentary: [1]
1834Letters from Sumner to Story
1837* Senate Report
1838Address of Certain Authors
1837Petition of British Authors
1837Memorial of a Number of Citizens of the United States
1838Report, from the Committee on Patents
1838Memorial of the New York Typographical Society
1838Memorial of a Number of Citizens of Boston
1841S. 227 (Dramatic Works Public Performance Bill)
1842Memorial of a Number of Persons Concerned in Printing and Publishing
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1853Letters on International copyright
1856* Copyright Act Amendment Commentary: [1]
1865* Copyright Act Amendment
1870Committee Report on S.703
1870* Copyright Act
1886Committee on Patents Report
1888The International Copyright Bill
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896Public Performance Bill
1896The Question of Copyright
1828Letter from Donaldson to Peters
1828Letter from Donaldson to Wheaton
1828Letter from Peters to Donaldson
1830Letter from John McLean to Richard Peters Jr.
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1834* Wheaton v. Peters Independent Report
1834Letters from Sumner to Story
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1870* Copyright Act
1879* Baker v. Selden Commentary: [1]
1879Selden's Argument
1883Sarony's Brief
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896Hearing on H.R. 5976
1896The Question of Copyright
1902Bleistein's Brief
1902Bleistein: Donaldson Lithographing Co. Brief
1903* Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co. Commentary: [1]
1903Bleistein: Cartoon
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1896The Question of Copyright
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1834* Wheaton v. Peters
1847* A Treatise on the Law of Copyright Commentary: [1]
1883Burrow-Giles' Brief
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1784Letter from Noah Webster to James Madison
1785Virginia Copyright Statute
1890Report on H.R. 10881
1848Jay, Bryant and Others' Memorials
1896The Question of Copyright