Section 9 should be amended by inserting after the word "Act," line 14, the words "and by the performance of the other conditions precedent mentioned in the act, and by entry of the title of the work as hereinafter provided." It is plain that a person does not "secure" copyright by the publication with notice, which is all that is mentioned in this section.
Section 10, line 24, the words "and such registration shall be prima facie evidence to ownership" should be struck out. There does not appear to be sufficient reason for giving a mere assertion of claim the prima facie standing of absolute ownership.
It would put upon the true author, whose production had been entered for copyright by another person, the burden of proof, and this section if not amended would be very susceptible of fraudulent use. I am inclined to think that it is advisable, certainly if the copyright entry is to be prima facie evidence of ownership, to require that the claim be verified before it is presented to the Librarian, and that false swearing to such a claim shall subject the affiant to the penalty for perjury.
Section 13, page 9, line 19, "and all his rights and privileges under said copyright shall thereafter be forfeited" should be canceled. These words might lead to the unjust forfeiture of a copyright if the false affidavit were made by the agent or printer without the knowledge of the author or owner. Also the words seem superfluous. If a condition precedent has not been performed, the right is lost by operation of law without these words. To insert them implies that the provisions of section 13 are not conditions precedent to obtaining a valid copyright.
In line 24 the word "and" should be substituted for "or;" and at the end of line 25 the words "if it has been published" should be inserted. It is very desirable that all the facts upon which the copyright depends should be clearly stated when possible.
Section 14, line 2, the words "or the," and the following matter down to, but not including the word "accompanied," in lines 5 and 6, should be canceled, and the words "with the date of entry of the copyright" should be inserted.
The notice of copyright must be clear and in such usual words, not signs which hardly anyone will understand, as are intelligible to the public. I consider it highly important that the date of copyright, including the year, month, and day, should appear in the notice, and also the name of the person by whom the original entry is made in the copyright office. The indexes will be kept by these names, and any subsequent entry or transfer should always be indexed under such original names. These remarks apply also to sections 44 and 45 hereafter considered.