QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 400)
P.D. No. 400 amends Presidential Decree No. 285. Its purpose is to allow the reprinting of educational, scientific, and cultural books and written materials when their prices become exorbitant and detrimental to the national interest, under specified conditions.
When the price of the book/pamphlet/written material becomes so exorbitant as to be detrimental to the national interest, as determined and declared by a specific committee under Section 1.
A committee composed of the Secretary of Education and Culture, the Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the Chairman of the Textbook Board, and the Director of the National Library.
Only one printer may reprint a single title, and that printer must be authorized by the Government.
The application must include: title, author, and original publisher; the foreign list price (if foreign) or domestic list price (if Philippine); the proposed list price of the reprinted material; number of copies; and applicant’s name and address.
No. It expressly requires that an application for each subsequent reprinting must likewise be filed.
The applicant must accomplish the reprinting within sixty (60) days from the date of approval of the application.
If reprinting is not done within that time, the title may be applied for by other interested parties.
All titles reprinted prior to the amendments must be registered. The registrant must furnish the National Library within thirty (30) days after the amendments take effect the same information required in the application.
At least seven percent (7%) of the list price in the Philippines.
At least two percent (2%) of the foreign list price.
The royalty must be paid within a reasonable period.
For nonresident authors, publishers, or copyright owners, the royalties (in dollars if so desired) must be fully remittable.
Any conflict or claim is decided by the same committee mentioned in Section 1. The committee’s order or decision becomes final after fifteen (15) days following receipt, unless appealed.
A party aggrieved may appeal to the Office of the President within the 15-day period. The Office of the President must decide within ten (10) days after the filing of the appeal.
They take effect immediately.
Reprinting may be done by the Government or by a private printer, but only under the conditions provided—particularly that the private printer must be authorized by the Government and must comply with the application, timing, pricing, and royalty requirements.