Page:Copyright, Its History And Its Law (1912).djvu/369

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INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
337

any other formality, provided always there shall appear in the work a statement that indicates the reservation of the property right." It continues (art. 6) the Mexico provisions as to copyright duration. The country of origin is further defined (art. 7) as "that of its first publication in America," and in case of simultaneous publication in several of the signatory countries, then that having the shortest term of protection. It specially provides (art. 8) that a work shall not acquire copyright through subsequent editions. It continues also (art. 9) the provisions for copyright in translations. It provides (art. 11) for the protection of "literary, scientific, or artistic writings, . . . published in newspapers or magazines." But other articles may be freely reproduced, on acknowledgment of the source, which, however, is not required for "news and miscellaneous items published merely for general information," —the provisions as to extracts in journals for public instruction or chrestomathy (art. 12) and those as to public addresses (art. 10) subject, however, to the internal laws of each state, being continued. The provisions as to unlawful reproduction (art. 13) are continued, and seizure of pirated copies (art. 14), police powers (art. 15) and provisions for ratification (art. 16) are the same as in the Mexico convention, except that the ratifications and denouncements are to be communicated to the Argentine government. This treaty, approved by the United States Senate, February 16, 1911, and signed by the President, waits other ratification to become effective.

Attorney-
General's
opinion on
ratification
The Mexico convention was signed by the United States delegates ad referendum, and before submitting it to the Senate for ratification, the President obtained through the Secretary of State an opinion from the Department of Justice, as to any reason against