But publishers, prior to local Copyright laws, were more than willing to make hefty investments, even without protection. In fact, they competed to make the bes

But publishers, prior to local Copyright laws, were more than willing to make hefty investments, even without protection. In fact, they competed to make the best offer to artists and authors. Read the book "Against Intellectual Monopoly." It details cases like this and more. See also links posted by others here, which detail similar cases.