The Statute of Anne

In the early eighteenth century, a groundbreaking piece of legislation was enacted under Queen Anne to give writers a real stake in their own work. The act, known today as the Statute of Anne, replaced the old system that handed publishing rights to powerful stationers and set a limited term—twenty‑one years—during which authors could control printing and reprinting of their books. Listeners will hear the precise language of the original statute, complete with the formal declarations and the royal assent that marked a shift toward encouraging learning through legal protection.

The accompanying editorial notes explain how the text was cleaned up for modern ears, removing duplicate words, correcting spelling quirks, and translating Latin passages. Along the way, the commentary traces the long history of rulers who repeatedly resisted giving too much power to the publishing guild, providing a backdrop that shows how this law emerged from centuries of conflict. This recording offers a clear glimpse into the birth of modern copyright, inviting anyone curious about the roots of today’s intellectual‑property system to explore the document itself.