Statute of Anne

Great Britain [1710]

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The Statute of Anne, enacted in England in 1710, was a pivotal moment in copyright law. It shifted the focus from protecting printers to recognizing authors' rights. This law established that copyrights should have a limited duration, after which works would enter the public domain. This concept influenced similar legislation in other countries, including the United States in 1790.1

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The Statute of Anne, passed in England in 1710, was a milestone in the history of copyright law. It recognized that authors should be the primary beneficiaries of copyright law and established the idea that such copyrights should have only limited duration (then set at 28…
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The Statute of Anne, passed in England in 1710, was a milestone in the history of copyright law. It recognized that authors should be the primary beneficiaries of copyright law and established the idea that such copyrights should have only limited duration (then set at 28…
Read More