Why did the first edition of the Book of Mormon include "By Joseph Smith, Junior, Author and Proprietor" on the title page?
Here's answer to week's question
When Joseph Smith submitted the Book of Mormon, not yet completely translated, for copyright on June 11, 1829, he had to abide by the laws in effect at the time that granted copyrights onloy to authors and proprietors.
Source: Joseph Smith and the Restoration, Ivan J. Barrett, p. 100