Conspectus of Copyright by Countries
Under the names of countries are given dates of the basic and latest amendatory laws. International relations are shown by the name in small caps of the convention city where a country is a party to the International Copyright Union or the Pan American conventions, and by the names of countries with which there are specific treaties, excepting those within the union or conventions. The general term of duration is entered, without specification of special terms for specific classes. Places of registration and deposit are indicated by R and D when these are not the same. The number of copies required and in some cases period after publication within which deposit is required are given in parentheses. Notice of copyright or of reservation is indicated. Special exceptions or conditions are noted so far as practicable under remarks. An asterisk indicates that specific exceptions exist.
The International Copyright Union includes (A) under the Berlin convention, 1908 (a) without reservation Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Spain, Monaco, Liberia, Haiti, Portugal, and (b) with reservation France, Norway, Tunis, Japan; (B) under the Berne convention, 1886, and the Paris additional act and interpretative declaration, 1896, Denmark, Italy; (C) under the Berne convention. 1886, and the Paris additional act, 1896, Great Britain; (D) under the Berne convention, 1886, and the Paris interpretative declaration, 1896. Sweden. The Pan American conventions agreed on at Mexico City, 1902. Rio de Janeiro, 1906, and Buenos Aires, 1910, have not been ratified except that of Mexico by the United States and by Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador, and doubtfully by Cuba and Dominican Republic; that of Rio by a few states insufficient to make it anywhere operative; and that of Buenos Aires by the United States. The South American convention of Montevideo, 1889, has been accepted by Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, Peru and Bolivia, and has the adherence (in relation with Argentina and Paraguay only) of Belgium, France, Italy and Spain. The five Central American states have a mutual convention through their Washington treaty of peace of 1907.
| Countries Dates of laws |
International relations | Duration | Registration and Deposit | Notice | Remarks | |
| North America: | North America (English-speaking) |
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| English | United States 1909 |
Mexico, B. Aires, Gt. Brit., Belg., China, Den., Fr., Ger., It., Jap., Lux., Nor., Sp., Swe., Switz., Aust., Hol., Port., Chile, Costa R., Cuba, Mex. |
28 + 28 | Library of Congress (2 "promptly") | "Copyright, 19—, by A. B." or statutory equivalent | Manufacture within U. S, for books, etc. |
| Canada 1875–1908 [1912?] |
See Gt. Brit.* (Aus. Hung. excepted) | 28 + 14 | Dept, of Agriculture: Copyright Branch (3) | "Copyright, Canada 19—, by A. B." or signature of artist | Printing and publ. within Canada* | |
| Newfoundland 1890-1899 |
See Gt. Brit. | 28 + 14 | Colonial Sec. (2) | "Entered, Newf. . . ., by A. B." etc, or signature of artist | Printing and publ. within Newf. * | |
| Canal Zone (U. S.) | See U. S. | |||||
| Porto Rico (U. S.) | See U. S. | |||||
| Jamaica (Br.) 1887 |
See Gt. Brit. | Life + 7 or 42* | (3 or 1* within mo.) | None | ||
| Trinidad (Br.) 1888 |
See Gt. Brit. | Life + 7 or 42* | Registrar of copyright (3 within mo.) | None |
