Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 812)
Publishers of printed books, including heads of various government departments, bureaus, offices, branches, provinces, municipalities, and government-owned or controlled corporations, are required to furnish copies.
Two copies to the National Library, and one copy each to the University of the Philippines Main Library, University of the Philippines Library at Cebu City, Mindanao State University Library, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Library.
Within one month from the date any printed book is first delivered out of the press.
Books include all printed literary works, musical arrangements, catalogues, periodicals, government publications, prints, photographs, drawings, graphic arts, maps, plans, charts, tables, and supplements, but exclude legal documents, printed forms, trade circulars, timetables, and other commercial documents.
Upon conviction, the publisher faces a fine of not less than fifty pesos (P50) and not more than five hundred pesos (P500) and must deliver the materials or their reproduction or value if unavailable.
No, the provisions of Section 2 do not apply to copyrighted works.
The Director may use, allocate, or distribute the materials as deemed fit for educational, cultural advancement, scholarship, or research purposes.
Details such as title, English translation, language, author/editor/translator, subject matter, place of printing and publication, printer and publisher names, date of issue/publication, number of pages, size, edition number, print run, price, and copyright proprietor's name and residence.
Departments, bureaus, offices, branches of government, provinces, municipalities, and government-owned or controlled corporations must furnish the National Library at least fifty free copies of all printed reports or documents for exchange commitments.