Urheberrecht im alten Rom

Ein aktueller Artikel im Social Science Research Network mit dem Titel "Origins of the Protection of Literary Authorship in Ancient Rome" wirft einen aufschlussreichen Blick in die Vergangenheit und auf den Schutz von Autoren in der Antike. Abstract: The Rome of classical antiquity had no copyright law to protect literary works. This study shows that literary works were not for as much unprotected. This protection came, however, in another form than the strictly legal. It was effected through a system of social conventions and codes that served to protect the literary work. So effectively, in fact, that no law needed supplement them. Plagiarized, corrupt, or unauthorized publications of literary works called forth immediate and lively opposition. The ancient Romans saw the author as having received inspiration for his or her work from the gods. It was this higher authority which determined the right to decide upon the conditions of the presentation of this work to the public. To violate this right was tantamount to violating the will of the inspiring gods. To do so might bring shame and even retribution with it. Once the author had given form to his or her inspiration and made his or her work public, the work was given over to the public domain. From thi…