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French Decree of 30 August 1777, on the duration of privileges, Paris (1777)
Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France : Mss. Fr. 22073 n° 146
Citation:
French Decree of 30 August 1777, on the duration of privileges, Paris (1777), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
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it would be tantamount to the enshrining of a monopoly, since
a single bookseller would then determine in perpetuity the
price of a particular book; finally, it would perpetuate the
causes of abuse and forgery, by denying provincial printers a
legitimate use for their presses. His Majesty has determined
that a regulation restricting the duration of the exclusive
rights of publishers to the period stipulated by the privilege
would be to their advantage, since a benefit which is limited
but certain, is preferable to one which is indefinite but
illusory: that such a regulation would be to the advantage of
the public, who may expect the cost of books to fall in
consequence to a level determined by the means of the buyers:
that it would be of benefit to men of letters, who will, after
a certain period has elapsed, be able to produce annotated
versions and commentaries of an author, without their right to
publish such texts being contested: that, finally, this regulation
will be all the more useful, since it may encourage commercial
activity, and stimulate such competition among booksellers as
may favour the progress and perfection of their art. To this
effect, the King in Council, on the advice of his Honour the
Keeper of the Seal, commands the following:
ARTICLE I
No bookseller or printer shall print or cause to be printed
any new book, without having first obtained the privilege, or
letters patent bearing the impression of the Great Seal.
II.
His Majesty forbids those booksellers, printers and others
who have obtained letters patent for the printing of a new book
to apply for any continuation of this privilege, unless the book
is to be augmented by at least a quarter; other booksellers
wishing to print existing editions without augmentation shall not
however be refused permission to do so on these grounds.
III.
Privileges granted for the future printing of new books shall
last no less than ten years.
IV.
Those who have obtained privileges shall retain them not only
for the period indicated therein, but also
No Transcription available.
Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France : Mss. Fr. 22073 n° 146
Citation:
French Decree of 30 August 1777, on the duration of privileges, Paris (1777), 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
it would be tantamount to the enshrining of a monopoly, since
a single bookseller would then determine in perpetuity the
price of a particular book; finally, it would perpetuate the
causes of abuse and forgery, by denying provincial printers a
legitimate use for their presses. His Majesty has determined
that a regulation restricting the duration of the exclusive
rights of publishers to the period stipulated by the privilege
would be to their advantage, since a benefit which is limited
but certain, is preferable to one which is indefinite but
illusory: that such a regulation would be to the advantage of
the public, who may expect the cost of books to fall in
consequence to a level determined by the means of the buyers:
that it would be of benefit to men of letters, who will, after
a certain period has elapsed, be able to produce annotated
versions and commentaries of an author, without their right to
publish such texts being contested: that, finally, this regulation
will be all the more useful, since it may encourage commercial
activity, and stimulate such competition among booksellers as
may favour the progress and perfection of their art. To this
effect, the King in Council, on the advice of his Honour the
Keeper of the Seal, commands the following:
No bookseller or printer shall print or cause to be printed
any new book, without having first obtained the privilege, or
letters patent bearing the impression of the Great Seal.
His Majesty forbids those booksellers, printers and others
who have obtained letters patent for the printing of a new book
to apply for any continuation of this privilege, unless the book
is to be augmented by at least a quarter; other booksellers
wishing to print existing editions without augmentation shall not
however be refused permission to do so on these grounds.
Privileges granted for the future printing of new books shall
last no less than ten years.
Those who have obtained privileges shall retain them not only
for the period indicated therein, but also
No Transcription available.