Page:Indian Copyright Act 1847.djvu/3

ACT XX.] 17. Saves all rights subsisting at time of passing the Act, and all contracts, &c., and remedies relating thereto. Schedules—No. 1, Original entry of proprietorship of Copyright. No. 2, Form of entry of assignment of registered Copyright.

An Act for the encouragement of learning in the Territories subject to he Government of the East India Company, by defining and providing for the enforcement of the right called Copyright therein.

Whereas doubts may exist whether the right called Copyright can be enforced by the Common Law of England in those parts of the Territories subject to the Government of the East India Company into which the Common Law of England has been introduced:

And whereas doubts may exist whether the said right can be enforced by virtue of the principles of equity and good conscience in the other parts of the Territories subject to the Government of the East India Company:

And whereas, for the encouragement of learning, it is desirable that the existence of the said right should be placed beyond doubt, and that the said right should be made capable of easy enforcement in every part of the said Territories:

And whereas it is doubted whether the Act of Parliament, 5 and 6 Victoria, c. 45, entitled "An Act to amend the Law of Copyright," although such Act extends to every part of the British Dominions, has made appropriate and sufficient provisions for the enforcement in every part of the said Territories subject to the Government of the East India Company, of the said right by proprietors thereof: and whether the said Act of Parliament has made provision for the enforcement of the said right by or against any person not being subject to the jurisdiction of the Court established by Her Majesty's Charter

I. It is therefore hereby enacted, that the Copyright in every book published in the life-time of its author within the said Territories, after the passing of the Act of Parliament, 3 and 4 Wm. 4, c. 85, entitled "An Act for effecting an arrangement with the East India Company, and for the better government of His Majesty's Indian Territories till the 30th day of April, 1854," shall endure for the natural life of such author and for the further term of seven years, commencing at the time of his death,