This historic phrase, often seen as cum privilegio in early printed works, indicates that the printer or publisher was granted a royal or state monopoly to produce the text. It served as an early form of copyright protection, warning rival printers against producing unauthorized copies. The privilege usually lasted for a set number of years and covered specific titles or classes of books.
Heard on the job
Check the title page of that early folio to see if it was printed with privilege.
Insider tip
You will mostly encounter this in the front matter or colophon of historic texts, signaling the transition from unregulated printing to early copyright law.
Also heard as
- cum privilegio