Cap 142 - BOOKS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE 1

Chapter: 142 BOOKS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE Gazette Number Version Date

Long title 30/06/1997


To provide for the registration and preservation of copies of books first printed, produced or published in Hong Kong.


[26 September 1976] L.N. 246 of 1976

(Originally 60 of 1976)

Section: 1 Short title 30/06/1997


This Ordinance may be cited as the Books Registration Ordinance.

Section: 2 Interpretation L.N. 192 of 1998;

L.N. 206 of 1998
09/04/1998



In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires-
"book" (書刊) includes-

(a) every volume, part or division of a volume;
(b) every magazine, journal, annual report, or other similar kind of periodical publication; and
(c) every pamphlet, sheet of music, map, chart, table or plan which is separately printed or produced,

but does not include any book specified in the Schedule;
"new book" (新書刊) means a book which-

(a) after the commencement of this Ordinance is either-
(i) printed or produced for the first time in Hong Kong; or
(ii) published for the first time in Hong Kong, regardless of where it was originally printed or

produced; or
(b) is a photographic copy photographically copied in Hong Kong for the first time after the

commencement of this Ordinance from a book printed, produced or published outside Hong Kong;
"publisher" (出版人) means-

(a) in the case of a book published in Hong Kong, the publisher thereof or his agent in Hong Kong;
(b) in the case of a book printed or produced in, but not published in, Hong Kong, the agent in Hong Kong

of the publisher or, in the absence of an agent, the person primarily responsible for the printing or
production of the book;

(c) in the case of a photographic copy of a book, the agent in Hong Kong of the publisher or, in the
absence of an agent, the person in Hong Kong primarily responsible for the photographic copying of
the book;

"Secretary" means the Secretary for Home Affairs. (Added L.N. 67 of 1985. Amended L.N. 242 of 1989; L.N. 372 of
1996; L.N. 192 of 1998; L.N. 206 of 1998)

(Amended L.N. 67 of 1985)

Section: 3 Delivery to Secretary of copies of every new book 30/06/1997


(1) The publisher of a new book shall, within 1 month after the book is published, printed, produced or
otherwise made in Hong Kong, deliver to the Secretary free of charge 5 copies of the book, together with all maps,
prints or other engravings belonging thereto, properly bound, sewed or stitched and produced on the best paper on
which the book and any map, print or other engraving thereto is printed or produced. (Amended L.N. 184 of 1992)

(2) The publisher of the book shall, within such period after delivery of copies of the book as the Secretary may
specify, forward to the Secretary in writing such particulars of the book as the Secretary may require to enable him to
register the book in accordance with section 5.

(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on
conviction to a fine of $2000.

(Amended L.N. 67 of 1985)



Cap 142 - BOOKS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE 2


Section: 4 Registration and disposal of copies of new books 59 of 2000 01/07/1997


Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 59 of 2000 s. 3


After receipt of the copies of a new book delivered to him under section 3, the Secretary shall- (Amended L.N.
67 of 1985)

(a) register the particulars of the book in accordance with section 5; and
(b) send 1 copy of the book to-

(i) (Repealed 59 of 2000 s. 3)
(ii) the City Hall Library, Hong Kong or such other library as he may approve; and

(c) give the remaining copies of the book to any public cultural or educational body as he may select or
otherwise dispose of them in such other manner as he thinks fit.


Section: 5 Register of books published, printed or produced in Hong

Kong
30/06/1997



(1) The Secretary shall maintain a register of every new book delivered to him under section 3.
(2) The register shall be in such form and contain such particulars of each book to be registered as the Secretary

thinks fit.
(Amended L.N. 67 of 1985)


Section: 6 Amendment of Schedule 59 of 2000 01/07/1997


Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 59 of 2000 s. 3


The Chief Executive may by order published in the Gazette amend the Schedule.
(Amended 59 of 2000 s. 3)


Schedule: SCHEDULE 30/06/1997


[sections 2 & 6]


BOOKS NOT REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION

1. A newspaper which issues its editions not less than 4 times a week.

2. Any book which will not be made available to the public at large.

3. A publication which consists solely of a price list, sale catalogue, trade circular or trade advertisement.