this was very annoying for authors even if royalties didn't yet exist back then. the 1st copyright protection came in the form of privileges granted to printers which gave the 1st publisher of a work exclusive printing rights for 2 years. it wasn't until 1710 with the introduction of the statute of queen around in britain little those were guaranteed protection for the 1st time. in france that came much later author's rights were untrained in civil law an author's work was considered a personal. expression inseparable from their person. in the united states copywriting to strengthen the rights of publishers to promote public education in 1037 the german confederation a precursor to the unified germany guaranteed authors rights china is different while there have been copyright laws since 1910 hardly anyone sticks to them and