Algunos apuntes históricos sobre el nacimiento de la Propiedad Intelectual en Portugal

Abstract

This study deals with the controversy created in Portugal at the beginning of the 19th century, Portuguese literary figures: Almeida Garret and Alexandre Herculano. The sources of this study are the correspondence between both writers, published often in the newspapers or officially defended in the House of Commons. Garret was the author of Project of Copyright Law in Portugal; as Prime Minister he promoted some international Treaties to defend it. Herculano criticized him ferociously. He believed that not all legal copyright acts could be allowed because copyright itself was not specific. He argued that copyright could not be considered as a proper right.