Title
Decree on legal and cultural deposit
Law
Presidential Decree No. 812
Decision Date
Oct 18, 1975
A Philippine law requires publishers and government entities to provide free copies of printed materials to designated libraries, aiming to preserve the intellectual and cultural heritage of the nation for future generations. Failure to comply with the deposit requirements may result in fines and the obligation to deliver the materials published or printed.

Law Summary

Depository Requirements for Publishers and Government Agencies (Section 2)

  • Publishers must deliver within one month of press delivery:
    • Two copies of each printed book to the National Library.
    • One copy each to the University of the Philippines Main Library, UP Cebu Library, Mindanao State University Library, and Cultural Center of the Philippines Library.
  • Delivery must be free of charge and copies must be identical to the best available editions.
  • Government bodies (departments, bureaus, provinces, municipalities, GOCCs) must also deposit two copies with the National Library and one copy each with the same libraries.
  • A receipt acknowledging delivery must be issued by the receiving Chief Librarian.

Definitions Under the Decree (Section 3)

  • "Book" includes printed literary works, musical arrangements, catalogues, periodicals, government publications, graphic arts, maps, plans, charts, tables, and supplements.
  • Excludes legal documents, printed forms, trade circulars, timetables, and commercial documents.
  • "Printed" means produced by printing, lithography, photography, duplication, or similar means.
  • "Printer" is the proprietor of the printing establishment.
  • "Publisher" is the person or entity that produces the book and offers it for sale or free distribution; may also be the printer.

Additional Deposits of Government Publications (Section 4)

  • Government entities printing reports or documents must provide at least fifty copies free to the National Library.
  • These copies support the National Library's role in national and international exchange commitments.

Authority over Deposited Materials (Section 5)

  • The Director of the National Library may allocate or distribute legal deposit materials as deemed fit for educational, cultural, scholarly, or research purposes.

Record-Keeping Requirements (Section 6)

  • The Director must maintain detailed records for all received materials, including:
    • Title and translated content if not in English.
    • Language, author/translator/editor, subject matter.
    • Printing and publication places.
    • Printer and publisher names.
    • Issue and publication dates.
    • Physical details - sheets, size, edition, number of copies.
    • Sale price and copyright proprietor's name and residence.

Publication of Records (Section 7)

  • The National Library must publish the records quarterly in the Official Gazette, within one month after each quarter's end.

Exclusion for Copyrighted Works (Section 8)

  • Section 2 deposit requirements do not apply to copyrighted works.

Penalties for Non-Compliance (Section 9)

  • Publishers failing to comply with deposit requirements face fines of P50 to P500 upon conviction.
  • They must also deliver the required materials or reproductions; failure to do so adds equivalent value to the fine.

Repeal and Effectivity (Sections 10 and 11)

  • Laws and regulations inconsistent with this Decree are repealed or modified accordingly.
  • The Decree takes effect three months after approval.

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