Source: National Archives of Denmark, Danske Kancelli: Sjællandske tegnelser (1572-1660) B57G: 1590 - 1596 mm.
Citation:
Total Ban on Book Imports, Denmark–Norway, Copenhagen (1596), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org
Back | Record | Images | No Commentaries
Translation only | Transcription only | Show all | Bundled images as pdf
2 translated pages
Chapter 1 Page 1
It has come to our attention that booksellers in these realms (and even in our realm of Norway) are endeavouring to import Danish books translated from German or Latin into Danish and printed abroad, in spite of the warnings and prohibitions previously issued by our beloved father. This is done only because of the greed of the booksellers, for they are only concerned with their own profit, and do not care what falsehoods and delusions may be spread among the public who may come to read these books. Furthermore, we have discovered that these books are found in various places, translated incorrectly to such an extent that the Danish language is distorted to the point of being almost unintelligible. We therefore ask you to keep a record of how many of deal in these books in your town (in our market town of Copenhagen, and in your jurisdiction).
Chapter 1 Page 2
We urge you to seriously instruct them to swear an oath, with their finger raised, that they will not import any books, whether newly published or translated from German or Latin into Danish and then printed abroad, and that they will not sell any such books in this realm. This must be done so as not to spread misleading or false information to the public who might read these books. If anyone still dares to import such books in this way, you can charge them with breaking the law, and they will lose possession of any books they have with them. If any of them have such books in their book stores, they must dispose of them immediately and not sell or give them to anyone else, and they must abide by this so as not to be held accountable.
Translation by: Mersiha Bruncevic, Geoff Hawkes [E-Lango]