Letters, and every kind of epistolary correspondence, are the property of the writer. The receiver of a letter may retain it for his own use, but, strictly, he cannot publish it without the permission of the sender or his heirs, neither can he sell it as a curiosity. The sale of letters of distinguished individuals is illegal, though ordinarily tolerated. Sec Curtis on the law of C., pp. 87, 89, et seq., and cases there quoted. As to the rule in this respect in Scotland, see the proceedings in the case of the 8,..'o• tch Thistle news paper, in Irvine's report of the trial of Madeleine Smith, pp. 92 and 305.
Newspaper matter is subject to the common law of C., but practically, and for mutual convenience, the intelligence in one paper is freely copied by the more respecta ble class of papers with, and in the less respectable without, acknowledgment. The taking of leading articles in the same manner might doubtless be checked; as would also be the unauthorized adoption of existing newspaper titles.
Charts.—C. in these is secured by several acts, more particularly the 17 Geo. III. c. 57. The term of C. is 28 years. Each engraving or map must have on it the date of publication and name of publisher. Those who infringe C. for feit the plates on which the pirated engravings or maps were printed; they forfeit also every pirated sheet, and 5R, for every print undisposed of. There is no C. in subject. Any one may invent, or delineate and sell pictures from subjects in C. books, without challenge. It is understood that in painting a portrait, C. remains with the artist, although he be paid for the picture, and the purchaser cannot take copies without per mission or assignment, C. as to paintings, however, is ill defined and defective, and an improved law on the subject is said to be under consideration. Sec DESION, under Which head is also noticed the C. of models, sculptures, casts, patterns of carpets tind paper-hangings, etc.
' Copyright in the Colonies.—By the act 5 and 6 Vict. c. 45, the C. of books. etc., printed in the United Kingdom, is extended to all British colonies; and the Act 8 and 9 Vict. c. 93, concerning tho trade of the colonies, absolutely prohibited these dependen cies front importing pirated editions of C. works. Practically, this last recited net was unavailing. Large quantities of cheap reprints of British C. books continued to he imported from the United States into time British American possessions. Remonstrances
against these irregularities at length led to some special legislation. It was ordained by the act 10 and 11 Vict. c. 95, that the colonies might respectively enact a law to enable them to import pirated C. works, on the plan of exacting a customhouse duty on such Works, the proceeds to be handed to the proprietors of the said copyrights. Colonial laws were accordingly enacted, in nearly all the British colonies except Australia. But the provisions were found quite inadequate. In 1874, the Dominion of Canada passed an act, confirmed by the imperial parliament iu 1875 (e. 53),„ for securing in Canada the.
rights of authors. and for prohibiting the importation into Canada of any work for which copyright under the- colonial act had been secured. By this act, if there is copyright in the United Kingdom in a book, the author becomes entitled to copyright also in Canada, and none but the owner can import into the United Kingdom any copies reprinted in Canada,. A copyright for 28 years from the recording thereof is now secured in Canada to authors; and if the author, or his wife or child, is living at the end thereof, then, for 14 years longer, such copyright being recorded there with the minister of agriculture.
Copyright in the United States is well defined. The latest act of congress on the sub ject is that of the year 1870. C. can be secured by any citizen of the United States or resident therein, who is the author of any book, map, chart, dramatic or musical composititin, engraving, cut, print, photograph, painting, statue, etc. The term of C. is 28 years from date of recording; but at the end of that term, the author if living, or, if dead, his widow or child, may record C. for an additional term of 14 years. In cases of renewal, record to be published in one or more newspapers. The first step in secur ing C. is to send a copy of the title of book or other article, or a description of the painting, statue, etc., to the librarian of congress before publication, and two copies of the book (a photograph in the case of paintings, etc.) must be sent to the librarian within ten days after publication. The librarian makes the proper record, receiving a small fee. It is requisite that notice of entry of C. be stated in each book or on each other article. All pirated copies of C. works are to be forfeited, independently of claims for damages by action at law.