Copyright Act of 1831
Encyclopedia
The Copyright Act of 1831 was the first general revision to United States copyright law
. The bill is largely the result of lobbying efforts by American lexicographer Noah Webster
.
The key changes in the Act included:
United States copyright law
The copyright law of the United States governs the legally enforceable rights of creative and artistic works under the laws of the United States.Copyright law in the United States is part of federal law, and is authorized by the U.S. Constitution...
. The bill is largely the result of lobbying efforts by American lexicographer Noah Webster
Noah Webster
Noah Webster was an American educator, lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author...
.
The key changes in the Act included:
- Extension of the original copyright term from 14 years to 28 years, with an option to renew the copyright for another 14 years
- Addition of musical compositionMusical compositionMusical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
s to the list of statutorily protected works (though this protection only extended to reproductions of compositions in printed form; the public performance right was not recognized until later) - Extension of the statute of limitationsStatute of limitationsA statute of limitations is an enactment in a common law legal system that sets the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings based on that event may be initiated...
on copyright actions from one year to two - Changes in copyright formality requirements
External links
- Full text of the Copyright Act of 1831, as passed