Hitler’s decrees do not make law in England, Justice Wynn Parry of the High Court ruled here yesterday in an action involving ownership of a copyright expropriated by the Nazi regime from a Leipzig Jewish publishing house.
He restored to Max Hinrichsen, sone of Dr. Henri Hinrichsen, former owner of the music publishing house of C.F. Peters of Leipzig, ownership of the copyright to “Rustle of Spring” by Sinding. The publishing house had been confiscated by the Nazi because the Hinrichsen family were Jews. Subsequently, the copyright in England was vested in the Comptroller of Patents who in turn licensed the British house of Novello and Company to publish the song.
Max Hinrichsen, as his father’s heir, sought to publish the music here. He was sued by Novello who claimed ownership. After a 19-day trial the court ruled: “The courts of this country will not give effect so far as regards assets within their Jurisdiction to the law of a foreign country which is confiscatory in policy.” Hitler’s decrees, he added, do not make law in England.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
