The Publications (Compulsory Deposit) Act

1. This Act may be cited as the Publications (Compulsory Deposit) Act. Interpretation

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. Delivery of copies of publications printed in Mainland Tanzania

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 158 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG. 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.

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. 159 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. THE PUBLICATIONS (COMPULSORY DEPOSIT) ACT [CAP. 294 R.E. 2023] Exemption and rules

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. 160 ©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.