Copyright Act, 1963

Register to be kept by proprietors of theatres, etc.

55.—(1) It shall be the duty of the proprietor of every theatre, hall, room or other place, in which dramatic works are performed to keep or cause to be kept in such theatre, hall, room, or place a register, in the form prescribed by the Minister by rules, of all dramatic works performed in such theatre, hall, room, or place in the presence of persons who have paid for admission to the performance, and within twelve hours after each performance to enter or cause to be entered in such register such particulars of the work and of the person presenting it as shall be prescribed by rules made by the Minister.

(2) Every register kept in pursuance of this section may be inspected at all reasonable times by any person who is the author of or owner of the copyright in any published work and copies of the register or of any part thereof may be made by the person.

(3) The Minister may make rules prescribing all or any of the following matters, that is to say:—

(a) the form of the register to be kept in pursuance of this section,

(b) the particulars to be entered in the register in respect of dramatic works, and of the person presenting them,

(c) defining the person who is to be deemed, in respect of any particular dramatic work, to be presenting it.

(4) If any person who is required by this section to keep, or cause to be kept, a register—

(a) fails to keep the register or to cause it to be kept, or

(b) fails to make or cause to be made in the register within the time prescribed by this section any entry required by or under this section to be made therein, or

(c) fails to produce the register for the inspection of any person entitled under this section to inspect it or obstructs or impedes any such person in making such inspection, or

(d) wilfully or negligently makes or causes or permits to be made in the register any entry which is false or misleading in any material particular,

he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.