This  is  strikingly  illustrated  by  the  subject  under
discussion,  for  this  definition  does  not  cover  any  of
the  really  difficult  questions  as  to  what  is,  or  what
is  not,  a  publication.  The  case  of  printed  matter  is
relatively  simple.  The  right  to  reproduce  copies
has  been  the  chief  characteristic  of  copyright  therein
and  this  right  has  given  its  chief  value  to  the  copy-
right. On  the  other  hand,  the  proprietor  of  a
dramatic  composition  has  at  least  a  double  oppor-
tunity:— to  print  and  make  copies  of  the  work  in
book  form  and,  what  is  much  more  valuable,  to
perform  the  play  publicly.  So  the  chief  value  of  a
work  of  art,  save  in  so  far  as  it  is  adapted  for  repro-
duction for  advertising  purposes,  is  in  the  original
for  sale  or  for  exhibition.  A  moving  picture  film
occupies  a  half  way  place  between  a  book  and  a
dramatic  composition.  It  is  printed  in  copies  for
sale  and  use,  as  a  book  is,  but  on  being  "run"
through  a  projecting  apparatus,  the  result  is  the
illusion  of  a  drama  of  action.  These  media  all  are
distinct,  have  peculiar  characteristics  and  their
value  lies  in  the  different  ntilitarian  aspects  of  the
diverse  works.  They  are  all  made  public  in  differ-
ent ways  and  under  different  circumstances.  The
statute  is  silent  as  to  how  they  are  to  be  deemed


16— See  §  317,  and  following.
17— American  Tobacco  Co.  v.  Werckmeister,  207  U.  S.  284,  at  p.  285,
53  L.  ed.  208,  209.
