The opinion of Judge Hopkinson is inserted in the Appendix, No. II. publication; and to recover damages for its injury, by an action on the case; and to the protection of a court of equity. The laws of all countries recognize an author's property in his productions. In England, beyond all question, an author had, at common law, the sole and exclusive property in his copy. This was decided in Miller v. Taylor, 4 Burr. 2303. This property was placed by its defenders, and they finally prevailed, upon the foundation of natural right; recognized by the laws, ordinances, usages and judicial decisions of the kingdom, from the first introduction of printing.
