Chapter XXXVII: Section 20: of 5 & 6 Vict. c. 45 enacts that "the provisions

hereinbefore enacted" in respect of registering the copyright in books shall apply to the liberty of representing or performing any dramatic piece or musical composition; provided that in the case of a dramatic piece or musical composition in manuscript it shall be sufficient to register--

1. The title.
2. The name and place of abode of author or composer.
3. The name and place of abode of the proprietor.
4. The time and place of first representation.

In the case, therefore, of a dramatic piece or musical composition which has been published as a book, the proper registration in respect of both copyright and performing right would seem to be that provided by section II, viz.:

1. The title.
2. The time of first publication.
3. The name and place of abode of the publisher.[714]
4. The name and place of abode of the proprietor.[715]

This is probably correct, although it may not strictly be in accordance with the proviso in section 20, viz.: "save and except that the first public representation or performance of any dramatic piece or musical composition shall be deemed equivalent in the construction of this Act to the first publication of any book." If, however, the provision as to registration in section 11 were strictly construed in accordance with this proviso, the result is that the proper registration would be:

1. The title.
2. The time of first representation.
3. The name and place of abode of the person who first represented it.
4. The name and place of abode of the proprietor.

It is obviously absurd that this should be the form of registration when the dramatic piece or musical composition has been printed and published, and that the form in section 20 should be the form of registration when it is in manuscript. The distinction between the two forms is meaningless.