“Le libre travail qui fut suivi, de mon Examen critique de la garantie légale des modèles et dessins de fabrique provoqua une ardente discussion,” &c.
MOVEMENTS IN GERMANY, BELGIUM, AND HOLLAND.
A Belgian projet de loi in favour of copyright of models and designs in manufacture, having been defeated, in consequence, as is alleged, of M. Vermeire’s efforts through the press and otherwise, we are told—
“This fact demonstrates once more that in Belgium, as everywhere else, opinions in favour of intellectual property within the domain of industry are declining, and that so far from legislation tending in the direction of giving such property increased proportions, it will soon be proposed to demolish entirely the superannuated legislation which interposes so many and so serious obstacles to the progress of industrial operations.
“The tactics of the partisans of such property consist in identifying or assimilating it with material property. This similarity permits the conclusions and deductions to be drawn which form the basis of Patent legislation.
“The pretended identity or similarity has been completely overthrown by M. Vermeire in his ‘Le Libre Travail.’ His ‘Examen Critique de la Garantie Légale des Modèles et Dessins de Fabrique’ deals a fresh blow against the confounding of property in a thing and property in an idea.”
EXTRACT OF LETTER, BRUSSELS, JUNE 11, 1869.
There is in Belgium, as in England and all other countries, a feeling antagonistic to Patent-rights. It is even shared in by many eminent political economists. I think, however, I may venture to assert that in this country the Government, far from participating in this feeling, would rather be inclined, in the event of a revision of the Patent-Laws, to secure in a more effectual way the rights of inventors.