International Copyright Act of 1891 passed by the 51st US Congress

Background. Prior to 1891, U.S. copyright law protected only citizens or residents. In 1869, British minister Edward Thornton proposed international laws to curb literary piracy. Famous authors like Charles Dickens supported these efforts. The 1891 Act changed this by extending protection to foreign nationals, though it introduced the 'Manufacturing Clause' and required works to be deposited in Washington, D.C., on or before publication.

Legislative Context. The 51st Congress, known as the 'Billion Dollar Congress,' met in Washington, D.C., from 1889 to 1891 during Benjamin Harrison's presidency. This Congress passed the International Copyright Act on March 3, 1891. The act allowed the President to enter bilateral copyright treaties, extending protection to nationals of signatory countries and reciprocally protecting American works abroad.

Significance. The International Copyright Act of 1891 was the first U.S. congressional act to offer copyright protection to citizens of other countries. Although no single 'international copyright' automatically protects rights globally, this act was the first step toward numerous international treaties and conventions. It instituted important changes in copyright matters, including the application of formalities to foreign publishers.