Final answer:
Copyrights began to be formally issued in England where the concept of copyright originated and was first formalized by the English Statute of Anne in the 17th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal issuing of copyrights began in several parts of Europe, but it was primarily in England where the concept of copyright originated and was first formalized. In the 17th century, the English Statute of Anne established copyright protection and laid the groundwork for modern copyright law. This legislation granted authors exclusive rights to their original works for a limited period of time, providing them with legal protection against unauthorized copying or reproduction.