Before Copyright
The French Book-Privilege System 1498–1526

Details the development of the privilege system, a precursor to copyright, in early sixteenth-century French publishing.

Elizabeth Armstrong (Author)

9780521893152, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 May 2002

336 pages, 10 b/w illus. 5 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.4 cm, 0.532 kg

When printing first began, a new book automatically fell into the public domain upon publication. Only a special law or privilegium enacted by a competent authority could protect it from being reprinted without the consent of the author or publisher. Such privileges for books are attested before 1480, but in Germany and Italy their efficacy was limited to a relatively small area by the political fragmentation of the country. During the 1480s and 1490s France became one of Europe's main centres of book production and, as competition intensified, privileges were sought there from 1498. Although privileges were to last as long as the Ancien Régime, the period to 1526 is the least-known stage of their development and the most important. Most privilege-holders printed the full text of their grant, and many others a summary.

List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
note on transcription
Note on proper names
Sigla and abbreviations
1. Origins and development of book-privileges in Europe
2. Privilege-granting authorities in France
3. Seeking and granting privileges: forms, conditions and procedures
4. Grounds for seeking and granting privileges
5. Grant of privilege and permission to print
6. Dating and duration of privileges
7. Display and advertisement of privileges
8. The range of interests reflected in privileged books: analysis by subject
9. Ownership, enforcement and efficacy of privileges
Conclusion
Select bibliography
Index of publishers, printers and booksellers
General index.

Subject Areas: Printing, packaging & reprographic industry [KNTR], Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP], Social & cultural history [HBTB]