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Bach v Longman 2 Cowper 623 (1777) is a landmark judgment regarding copyright. The case was concerning whether or not printed music fell within the protection of the Statute of Anne (1710). Lord Mansfield held that published music is protected as 'writing' within the terms of the legislation.
Johann Christian Bach and Karl Friedrich Abel suied publisher James Longman who had been violating the copyright his works in London.
The only copyright legislation at the time was Statute of Anne which was assumed to not cover music. The judge, Lord Mansfield found, however, that the Statutes preamble referred to "books and other writings" This he felt included written music. His decision allowed for a spate of further cases, and a more stable performing environment allowing the growth of freelance musicians in the 18th century.