The second reading of the Bill to amend and consolidate
the law of copyright was moved by Mr. Buxton on Friday week. Its main provision abolishes the various terms of copyright now existing, and substitutes a period consisting of the author's life and fifty years from his death. An important provision is inserted to the effect that if any foreign country does not give adequate protection to British authors, the King in Council may direct that the works of subjects or citizens of such countries shall not be protected under the Act. Otherwise reciprocal protection may be conferred. The Bill, which is primarily intended to carry out the decisions of the Berlin Convention of 1908, consolidates and repeals the provisions of some twenty-two Acts relating to copyright, and in many respects marks a notable advance upon the Bill of 1910.
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