One great controversy to emerge in the Victorian era was the issue of copyright, and especially of international copyright. Until 1891, the US offered no copyright protection to non-American authors. Consequently, US publishers competed to produce cheap, pirated copies of works by British authors and authors of other nations. Nor did American authors have protection against the piracy of their own works overseas. This section looks at copyright law in America and Britain, and the quest to end copyright piracy between the two nations.

Copyright in Pictures and Other Works of Art (Art Journal, 1858)

American Copyright (Leisure Hour, 1860)

International Copyright (Harper's Monthly, 1873A)

Entered at Stationers' Hall (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1877)

A brief explanation of copyright as it existed in 1877.

The Blessings of Piracy (Century Magazine, 1882A)

More on the international copyright negotiations (see below).

Copyright Laws of the US (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

The Copyright Negotiations (Century Magazine, 1882A)

Negotiations between the US and Britain to establish an international copyright agreement, primarily to end the piracy of British works by American publishers.

International Copyright (Century Magazine, 1882A)

One of the key concerns of American writers, publishers and booksellers was the issue of establishing a fair system of international copyright. Prior to the new copyright law, American publishers "pirated" the works of international authors, offering no compensation. Authors on both sides of the Atlantic fought to establish an international copyright agreement. This series of editorials and open letters from 1882-1896 showcases the concerns and debates over international copyright - debates that continued even after an agreement was established.

The Demand of American Authors (Century Magazine, 1886A)

Copyright issues between the US and England.

International Copyrights Accomplished (Century Magazine, 1891B)

Amongst other protections by the new copyright agreement between America and Britain, the new law extends copyright protection to works of art and music as well as to written works.