International Copyright: Considered in Some of Its Relations to Ethics and Political Economy

A scholarly address delivered in the late 19th century, specifically in 1878. This book falls under the category of political economy and legal study, focusing on the implications of copyright law within an international context. It addresses the complexities of literary and intellectual property rights, advocating for the protection of authors' works through international copyright agreements. In this discourse, Putnam examines the historical evolution of copyright law, particularly its economic and ethical ramifications for authors and society. He argues that authors, like other laborers, deserve protection for their creative outputs, as these works are products of intellectual labor comparable to material goods. He critiques the lack of international copyright agreements that disadvantage American authors, highlighting how they lose out on royalties from foreign sales and are unfairly undercut in their own markets by unprotected works from abroad. Throughout his address, Putnam emphasizes the necessity of recognizing literary property as a legitimate legal right essential to ensuring fair compensation for creators and fostering the growth of literature and scholarship on a global scale.