Copyright Timeline

As an attempt to control publications from increasing numbers or presses and printers,England's Crown established a register of licensed books.Administered by the Stationars' Company, they were given power to seize material hostile to the Church or Government.(The Library of Congress,2010)

Under Queen Anne's reign,reconize rights of authors and established copyright which prevents monopoly of the bookseller.Known as an act for the encouragement of learning,the Statute of Anne creates "Public Domain" which limits terms of copyright and ensures limited control by the author over its use once a work is purchased.(The Liabrary of Congress,2010)

author of american spelling book,successfully lobbies Connecticut lagislature to pass a coopyright statute,the first in the United States.(The Library of Congress,2010)

george washington signed the first copyright bill into law protecting books,maps,and charts for a term of 14 years.Copyright can be renewed for an aditional 14 years.

President Ulysses S. Grant signs into law provisions that two copies of all copyrighted works be registered and deposited in The Library of Congress thereby a source for assembling the largest repository of works.Materials copyrighted now also include photographs and music.

President Grover Cleveland signs the Printing Act.This Act centralizes printing of government documents and prohibits copyrighting of government publications.

the copyright office is established.A Register of Copyrights position is created.

This revision extends copyright terms to 28 years and broadens copyright material to " all the wrightings of an author"

broadcens subject matter to include all writings of an author.Also extends renewal terms from 14 to 28 years.

nine special acts extending renewal terms on copyrighted works to december 31, 1976.Works that were scheduled to expire between this date and December 31,1976 were included.