Page:Copyright, Its History And Its Law (1912).djvu/66

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34
COPYRIGHT

finally became merged in the protection of patents. Thus "designs capable of being registered under the patents and designs act, 1907," are specifically excepted under clause 22 of the proposed copyright code.

Common
law rights
Common It seems possible that, under the precedent of the law rights acts of 1775 and 1801,the common law rights practically taken away by the statute of Anne and specifically abrogated by the proposed bill, could have been restored by legislation. These restrictions have not only ruled the practice of England ever since, but they were embodied in the Constitution of the United States, and have influenced alike our legislators and our courts.