Book Review: World Copyright: An Encyclopedia

Abstract

This large, handsome volume marks the initial publication in a formidable project which, the Preface tells us, was commenced before the war and was further delayed by publishing difficulties. However, the material in it generally is current to the end of 1951. Whether or not it reflects present law in Eastern European countries is hard to tell, though bibliographic references suggest that those nations maintain at least a facade of recognition of private rights in literary property. Since the Encyclopedia is truly world-wide in scope, and contains some material on every country from Albania to Yugoslavia, including Monaco and the Sudan, the present reviewer professes no competence to appraise its accuracy. The credentials of the editors, the Advisory Board, and the contributors, are impressive; the articles that I have dipped into have an atmosphere of authority; and the American material seems reliable.