Section 9 of The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
1[9. Copies of books printed after commencement of Act to be delivered gratis to Government.--Printed 2*** copies of the whole of every book which shall be printed 2*** in 3[India] after this Act shall come into force, together with all maps, prints or other engravings belonging thereto, finished and coloured in the same manner as the best copies of the same, shall, notwithstanding any agreement (if the book be published) between the printer and publisher thereof, be delivered by the printer at such place and to such officer as the State Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, from time to time direct, and free of expense to the Government, as follows, that is to say :--
- (a)in any case, within one calendar month after the day on which any such book shall first be delivered out of the press, one such copy, and
- (b)if within one calendar year from such day the State Government shall require the printer to deliver other such copies not exceeding two in number, then within one calendar month after the day on which any such requisition shall be made by the State Government on the printer, another such copy, or two other such copies, as the State Government may direct, the copies so delivered being bound, sewed or stitched together and upon the best paper on which any copies of the book shall be printed 4***. The publisher or other person employing the printer shall, at a reasonable time before the expiration of the said month, supply him with all maps, prints and engravings finished and coloured as aforesaid, which may be necessary to enable him to comply with the requirements aforesaid. Nothing in the former part of this section shall apply to--
- (i)any second or subsequent edition of a book in which edition no additions or alterations either in the letter-press or in the maps, prints or other engravings belonging to the book have been made, and a copy of the first or some preceding edition of which book has been delivered under this Act, or
- (ii)any 5[newspaper] published in conformity with the rules laid down in section 5 of this Act.
Summary
- This section requires printers to provide free copies of every book they print to the State Government.
- The first copy must be delivered within one calendar month after the book leaves the press.
- The State Government can request up to two more copies within one year of the book's first delivery.
- Books must be delivered in their best quality, including all maps and illustrations bound or stitched together.
- Publishers are responsible for giving the printer any maps or engravings needed to finish the copies correctly.
- This rule does not apply to simple second editions where nothing has changed or to newspapers that follow other rules.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Do I have to pay the government for the books delivered under Section 9 of the Press and Registration of Books Act?
No, Section 9 of the Act states that books must be delivered gratis, which means free of expense to the government.
2. What is the deadline for the first book delivery under Section 9 of the 1867 Act?
You must deliver the first copy within one calendar month from the day the book is first delivered out of the press under Section 9 of the Act.
3. Does Section 9 of the Press and Registration of Books Act apply to every edition?
No, Section 9 does not apply to second or subsequent editions if no changes were made to the text or maps and the first edition was already delivered.
4. How many total copies can the government take under Section 9 of the Press and Registration of Books Act?
The government receives one copy initially and can ask for up to two more within a year, making three copies in total under Section 9 of the Act.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 9 of The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, who is responsible for delivering the free copies to the government?
Q2.Within what time frame can the State Government ask for extra copies under Section 9 of The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867?
Q3.According to Section 9 of The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which of these must be included with the delivered book?
Q4.Under Section 9 of The Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, what happens if a second edition is printed with no changes?