Page:Copyright, Its History And Its Law (1912).djvu/182

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150
COPYRIGHT

chancery, on compliance with the first requirement of the prescribed process, it must be perfected by complying with the other requisites before a suit at law for violation of copyright can be maintained.

Expunging
from registry
A false or unjustifiable entry of copyright may be expunged from the registry by court order, as was done in the English case Re Share Certificate Book in 1908.

British for-
malities
The statutory formalities of copyright in other countries vary greatly. In Great Britain copyright has been secured by first (or simultaneous) publication within the British dominions or under the "international copyright act." The law provided that a copy of the best edition of a book must be deposited in the British Museum, this giving basis for proof of publication, which deposit must be made within one month after publication if published within London, three months elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and one year in other parts of the British dominions; the failure to deposit did not forfeit copyright, but involved a fine ; but under the international copyright provisions, deposit in the British Museum of a colonial or foreign work was not required, though useful as prima facie evidence of publication. Four other copies of domestic books must be supplied to the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Dublin if demanded within twelve months from publication. Registration at Stationers' Hall was necessary for books only as a prerequisite to an action at law against infringement, but was obligatory in the case of paintings, drawings and photographs. Copyright notice on a book was not required except to reserve the right of representation of a dramatic work, etc., though it has been customary for English publishers to print the phrase "All rights reserved" as the equivalent to the copyright notice. But copyright notice was re-