To every cow its calf and to every book its copy.
I was reminded of this phrase, which has its origins in Irish, the
other day when I got a review copy of a book of poetry by an
old school friend.
The original expression comes from a ruling handed down by the
High King of Ireland in what was the first case of breach of
copyright. St Colmcille had illegally copied a manuscript
belonging to St Finian, sparking off a battle in which
three thousand were slain. As penance he went into
exile on the remote Scottish island of Iona.