Literary Property

The Libraries which are entitled to claim copies of new publications under the act of 6 & 7 W. 4. c. 110. are —

1. The King's Library, since transferred to the British Museum.
2. The Library of the University of Oxford, commonly called the Bodleian.
3. The Library of the University of Cambridge.
4. The Library of the Faculty of Advocates at Edinburgh.
5. The Library of the College of the Holy Trinity in Dublin. The two English Universities have the following privileges: —
   1. The copyright in all works bequeathed to, or acquired by them, is vested in them in perpetuity, so long as the works are printed at their own presses.
   2. They have (in common with the King's Printers in England, Scotland, and Ireland,) the exclusive privilege of printing Bibles and Prayer Books; and an exemption from the duty on paper used for them. [The Bibles and Prayer Books printed in Scotland and Ireland, are not allowed to be sold in England.]
   3. They have the same privilege (in common with the King's Printer in England) of printing the Statutes of the Realm.
   4. They have an exemption from the duty on paper used in books for the purposes of classical instruction, and in all works in the learned languages, printed at their presses.
   5. They have 500l. per annum paid to each of them by the nation, for the purpose of enabling them to assist poor scholars and fellows in printing their works.

The four Universities of Scotland, and Trinity College, Dublin, have the same advantage with respect to the perpetuity of their copyrights as the English Universities have (The printing of Bibles and Prayer Books, in both these countries, appears to be exclusively the right of the King's Printer.) They have also an exemption from the duty on paper used in all works of classical instruction, and in the learned languages, printed at their presses. — The Scotch Universities do not appear to have ever made use of this privilege in the manner that Oxford and Cambridge have done; but by naming some individual as Printer to the University, have communicated to him the advantage derived from it.