§ SIR PHILIP MAGNUS (London University)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the United States of America participate in the Copyright Union; and, if not, whether any steps that might be taken to modify the arrangement between this country and America, with a view to the removal of its prejudicial effect on the British printing trade, would necessarily involve any sacrifice on the part of this country of the advantages of participating in the Copyright Union.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe United States of America do not belong to the Copyright Union but sent delegates to the recent conference at Berlin. Any steps taken with a view to making printing in this country a condition of copyright would involve the withdrawal of Great Britain from the union, as it would scarcely be feasible to impose 397 such a condition on British subjects without also imposing it on all foreigners. I am afraid that there is no indication that the United States are likely to modify their printing regulations.
§ SIR PHILIP MAGNUSBut how is it that a modification of the law would involve the withdrawal of this country from the Copyright Union?
§ MR. CHURCHILLsaid that in order to secure copyright in the United States for British subjects this country must permit citizens of the United States copyright on substantially the same basis as enjoyed by themselves, and any clause enforced against American citizens would equally have to be enforced against British subjects.