Re: New York Times

> For us layfolk: What is the Statute of Anne?

The statute of Anne was the law that passed Parliament in, I believe 1710, which allowed authors to retain some rights in their works. Prior to this if one wanted to publish one's works, they would have to sign over the entire bundle of rights to the publisher. This generally allowed publishers and bookbinders to control information access. The retention of moral rights was recognized in varying degrees. The Statute gave the authors who formed groups similar to trade guilds some enforceable, negotiable rights that were not recognized before that time.

Martin Medeiros
Attorney at Law
<teklaw[_at_]scn.org> Received on Sat Apr 06 1996 - 00:02:49 GMT