The Publications (Compulsory Deposit) Act

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CHAPTER 294
THE PUBLICATIONS (COMPULSORY DEPOSIT) ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Delivery of copies of publications printed in Mainland Tanzania.
4. Penalties for non-delivery of books by printer or for non-delivery of maps,
etc., by publisher.
5. Exemption and rules.

inted in Mainland Tanzania.
4. Penalties for non-delivery of books by printer or for non-delivery of maps,
etc., by publisher.
5. Exemption and rules.

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.158
1. This Act may be cited as the Publications (Compulsory
Deposit) Act. 2. In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise-
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for education;
“printed” as applied to books, means produced by printing,
lithography or any other like process, and “printer” shall
be construed accordingly;
“publication” includes every part or division of a book,
pamphlet, newspaper, periodical, magazine, review,
gazette, sheet of letterpress, sheet of music, map, plan,
chart or table separately printed, but does not include
any second or subsequent edition of a book, unless such
edition contains additions or alterations either in the
letterpress or in the maps, prints or other illustrative
materials belonging to it, or any book which will not be
made available to the public at large.

tterpress or in the maps, prints or other illustrative
materials belonging to it, or any book which will not be
made available to the public at large.

3.–(1) The printer of every publication printed in Mainland
Tanzania, within one month after the day on which any such
book is first delivered out of the press, and notwithstanding
any agreement, if the publication is published, between the
printer and its publisher, deliver at his own expense a copy
Short title
Interpretation
Delivery of copies
of publications
printed in
Mainland
Tanzania
CHAPTER 294
THE PUBLICATIONS (COMPULSORY DEPOSIT) ACT
An Act to make provision for the deposit and preservation of copies of
books printed in Tanzania. [1st April, 1963]
Acts Nos. 74 of 1962
R.L. Cap. 497

An Act to make provision for the deposit and preservation of copies of
books printed in Tanzania. [1st April, 1963]
Acts Nos. 74 of 1962
R.L. Cap. 497

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.159
THE PUBLICATIONS (COMPULSORY DEPOSIT) ACT [CAP. 294 R.E. 2023]
each of the publication to any person or persons whom and at
any place or places which the Minister may, by order published
in the Gazette, direct. (2) Every copy delivered under the provisions of this section
shall be a copy of the whole publication, with all maps and
illustrations belonging to it, finished and coloured in the same
manner as the best copies of the same are produced, and shall
be bound, sewed or stitched together, and on the best paper on
which the publication is printed. (3) The publisher or other person employing the printer
shall, within a reasonable time before the expiration of the
said month, supply the printer with all maps, prints and other
illustrative material finished and coloured as aforesaid which
are necessary to enable him to comply with the requirements
of this section. (4) The person to whom any copies of publications are
delivered pursuant to this section shall give or cause to be
given to the printer a receipt in writing for the same.

om any copies of publications are
delivered pursuant to this section shall give or cause to be
given to the printer a receipt in writing for the same.

4.–(1) Any printer who fails to comply with the provisions of
subsection (1) or (2) of section 3 commits an offence, and on
conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred
shillings and the court before which that printer is convicted
may, in addition, order him to deliver to the person or persons
mentioned in any order made by the Minister under subsection
(1) of section 3, a copy of the publication in respect of which
the conviction is recorded. (2) Any publisher or other person employing any printer
who neglects to supply the printer, in accordance with
subsection (3) of section 3, with the maps, prints or other
illustrative materials which may be necessary to enable him to
comply with the requirements of this Act, commits an offence,
and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one
hundred shillings. Penalties for non-
delivery of books
by printer or for
non-delivery of
maps, etc., by
publisher

liable to a fine not exceeding one
hundred shillings. Penalties for non-
delivery of books
by printer or for
non-delivery of
maps, etc., by
publisher

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.160
THE PUBLICATIONS (COMPULSORY DEPOSIT) ACT [CAP. 294 R.E. 2023]
5. The Minister may-
(a) by order exempt from the provisions of section 3 any
publication or any class or descriptions of publication
specified in the order either absolutely or subject to any
conditions which may be specified in the order; and
(b) make rules providing for the better carrying out of the
provisions of this Act.
Exemption and
rules