The Statute of Anne, 1710

"That nothing in this Act contained shall be
construed to extend to subject any Bookseller, Printer, or other Person whatsoever, to the Forfeitures or Penalties therein mentioned, for or by reason of the Printing or Reprinting of any Book or Books without such Consent, as aforesaid, unless the Title to the Copy of such Book or Books hereafter Published shall, before such Publication be Entred [sic], in the Register-Book of the Company of Stationers"

I don't think my argument for registration of intangible "property" is as weak as some suggested. Even the Statute of Anne got that right.

in reference to:

"the first copyright act in the world, the British Statute of Anne, from 1710"
- History of Copyright: Statute of Anne, 1710 (view on Google Sidewiki)