Inside Report (2)

Is that book all-American?

Labor's growing protectionist position was reflected in the successful fight to preserve a special Copyright Act requirement. The clause states that most books by Americans, and other printed material, must be produced in the US or Canada to enjoy full copyright protection.

The White House vetoed such a provision when the act was renewed. It cited a high priority on strengthening free trade and objections from America's trading partners.

The AFL-CIO argued that hundreds of thousands of US jobs would be jeopardized if printing was shifted to low-wage countries in Asia, already bidding for printing business. The US Labor Department in 1981 similarly estimated that as many as 367,000 jobs could be wiped out.

Congress rebelled against the President to override a Reagan veto. The protective clause will now run to July 1986.