Four Books on Human Proportion (1532) - Page 10

It is warned by an edict of the Lord Charles V, Roman Emperor, that no one

original: "D. Caroli .V. Imper. Rom." – Charles V (1500–1558) ruled one of the largest empires in history. His "edict" here provides the legal weight to protect Dürer's intellectual property across the Holy Roman Empire.

may, with impunity, print the writings of Albrecht Dürer, whether in this genre [human proportion] or his

Elements of Geometry, or his works on Fortification,

original: "tichismatica" – derived from the Greek word for "wall." This refers to Dürer's 1527 treatise on the construction of city walls and defenses, one of the first major works on modern fortification.

nor may they sell those already printed;

for those acting to the contrary, a penalty has been decreed

original: "multa" – specifically a monetary fine or legal penalty.

which is contained in the official document of privilege.

An "Imperial Privilege" was an early form of copyright. Because there were no international copyright laws, an author or publisher had to pay for a "Privilege" from the Emperor to gain the exclusive right to print and sell a book for a set number of years, usually under threat of a heavy fine and the confiscation of illegal copies.