A key historical record of British copyright law
This 1899 volume collects the proceedings, minutes of evidence, and appendix from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Copyright Bill and the Copyright (Artistic) Bill, offering an authoritative view of deliberations that shaped modern copyright matter in Britain.
The book presents the full committee proceedings, including witnesses called and examined, adjournments, and the evolving text of the bills as amendments were proposed and debated. It also includes an extensive Appendix with memoranda and expert commentary on literary and artistic copyright, providing context for how the law would treat abridgments, translations, and other rights.
What you’ll experience
- The sequence of committee meetings, who spoke, and how the bills changed over time
- Detailed minutes of evidence from key witnesses and experts
- Scholarly and practical commentary on copyright terms, rights, and enforcement
- A comprehensive view of the legislative process behind 19th‑century copyright reform
Ideal for readers of legal history, scholars studying intellectual property law, and researchers tracing the origins of modern copyright in the United Kingdom.