COPYRIGHT MATERIAL, PARTICULARLY CZECHOSLOVAK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-00706R000300100004-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 9, 1960
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 20
OGC HAS REVIEWED.
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Deputy Chief, FDD 9 March 19e0
Actin Chief, BE
Copyright terial, Particularly Czechoslovak
1. The copyright problem is with us more forcefully than ever
because of the Czechoslovak Government ratification of the principles
of the Universal Copyright Convention, apparently formed in Geneva in
1952 at the initiative of UNESCO. See the attached AmEbbassy Prague
despatch dated 13 January 1960.. The despatch states that Czechoslo-
vakia will adhere to the principles of the Convention beginning
1 January 1960. It also states that the U.S. and Czechoslovak gov-
ernments have agreed that author's rights are guaranteed for 50 years
based on an April 1927 agreement.
2. A survey of 190 Czechoslovak sources received thus far indi-
cates that most of the important economic journals bear some form of
copyright. Sociological and political journals, including the primary
party theoretical journal, have not as yet contained a copyright ca-
veat. Only one newspaper, of a sociological nature, contains a copy-
right. Military and paramilitary sources thus far do not contain
copyrights.
3. The matter is complicated by the variations in the wording
of the caveat appearing in the sources, e.g.,:
Copyright symbol only; the letter c within a circle.
The symbol, plus "Reproduction permitted only with.
permission of editorial staff and with protection of
author's rights."
No symbol, but 'Reproduction permitted with permis-
n of editorial staff and with source citation."
No symbol, but 'Republication permitted with source
citation."
No symbol, but 'Reprint permitted only with cita-
tion of source and protection of author's rights."
prira.-71r,
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i. &re 1959 Czechoslovak sources contained the restrictive
language cited above without the symbol appearing. Same also con.-
tained the caveat, "All rights reserved. ?' One English-languege
journal requested "Anyone using articles from this issue for re-
print is kindly requested to send us a copy of their issue- with the
reprint."
Iyanelysts agree that Czechoslovakia has been assigned
a key role in SovBloc efforts at economic penetration of the non-
Communist world. Because of this and its relatively high degree of
industrialization, it is desirable to provide as widespread dis-
semination of information on Czechoslovakia as is possible within
the legal limitations imposed by the copyright.
It is possible that other East European countries will
fallow the lead of Czechoslovakia in ratifying the principles of
the Copyright Convention. I understand that YUgoslavia has lodged
a protest with the Department of State over OS reproduction of a
copyrighted Croatian book, and that a Polish scientific publica-
tion containing a copyright has been found in the Division. Also,
Department of State correspondence indicates that reciprocal copy-
right arrangements exist between the US and Rumania, although this
Branch has not found any Rumanian sources with copyright caveats.
Because of the above and the complexity of copyright law,
augest that the Agency Legislative Counsel's Office be asked to
define our Obligations with respect to Czechoslovak and other East
European copyrights, from the viewpoint of US Government recogni-
tion of such copyrights, and that they be requested to interpret
the meaning of the caveats listed in Paragraphs 3. and 4. above.
Another question might concern the specific wording and language
required under the Copyright Convention in order for the caveator
to impose a legal restriction upon the cavestee.
25X1A
Acting Chief, tern Europe Breach
WigiNX
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