The Andhra Pradesh Exhibition of Films on Television Screen through Video Cassette Recorders (Regulation) Act, 1993.

THE ANDHRA PRADESH EXHIBITION OF FILMS ON TELEVISION SCREEN
THROUGH VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS (REGULATION) ACT, 1993
ACT  No. 12 OF 1993
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTIONS
1. Short title, extent and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Exhibition of film to be Licensed
4. Video library to be licensed
5. Grant or refusal of licence
6. Permission for construction of buildings or installation of machinery, etc
7. Power to issue directions
8. Letter of consent
9. Licensee to exhibit only certified films
10. Power of Government or licensing authority to suspend the exhibition
of films in certain cases
11. Power to revoke or suspend licence
12. Penalties
13. Offences by companies
14. Power to enter, search and seize
15. Confiscation of video cassettes, etc
16. Cognizance of offence
17. Offences under this Act to be cognizable
18. Appeal
19. Powers of revision
20. Power to make rules
21. Savings
22. Protection of Acts done in good faith
THE ANDHRA PRADESH EXHIBITION OF FILMS ON TELEVISION SCREEN
THROUGH VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS (REGULATION) ACT, 1993
ACT No. 12 OF 1993
[11th June, 1993]
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE EXHIBITION OF
FILMS ON TELEVISION SCREEN THROUGH VIDEO CASSETTE
RECORDERS IN THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND FOR
MATTERS INCIDENTAL OR ANCILLARY THERETO.
 Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Andhra Pradesh
in the Thirty-eighth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
1. Short title, extent and commencement - (1) This Act may be called the
Andhra Pradesh Exhibition of Films on Television Screen through Video
Cassette Recorders (Regulation) Act, 1993.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Government may, by
notification, appoint.
1[2. Definitions – (1) “Cable operator” means any person who provides cable
service through a cable television net work or otherwise controls or is
responsible for the management and operation of a cable television network;
(2) “Cinematograph” includes any apparatus for the representation of
moving pictures or series of pictures;
(3) “Company” means a Company as defined in section 3 of the
Companies Act, 1956 (Central Act 1 of 1956);
(4) “DVD” means Digital Versatile/Video Disc;
(5) “Exhibition” means exhibition of cinemas, dramatic performances,
sports, entertainments, audio-video programmes and the like;
(6) “Film” includes cinematograph film or video tape through which any
series of visual images recorded on any material can be shown as a moving
picture;
(7) “Government” means the State Government of Andhra Pradesh;
(8) “Licensing authority” means in relation to the Twin Cities of
Hyderabad City (i.e., Hyderabad and Secunderabad), Cyberabad, Vijayawada
and Visakhapatnam, the Commissioner of Police, and elsewhere the Collector
of the District;
(9) “Licensee” means a person to whom licence is granted under the Act;
(10) “Notification” means a notification published in the Andhra Pradesh
Gazette and the word notified shall be construed accordingly;
(11) “Person” means,-
(a) an individual who is a citizen of India;
1 .  The Section 2 is substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 2.
(b) an association of individuals or body of individuals whether
incorporated or not, whose members are citizens of India;
(c) a company in which not less than fifty one percent of the paid
up share capital is held by the citizens of India;
(d) the person defined under General Clauses Act;
(12) “Pirated Cassette” means a film or DVD or VCD which was produced
without copyright in relation to a cinematograph film or a record embodying
any part of sound track associated with the film;
(13) “Pirated Cassette holder” means a person who possesses the cassette
or VCD or DVD which was made against the copyright in relation to a
cinematograph film or a record embodying any part of sound track associated
with the film;
(14) “Place” includes a house, building, tent and any description of
transport, whether by water, land or air;
(15) “Prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Government
under the Act;
(16) “Programme” means any television broadcast and includes,-
(a) exhibition of films, features, dramas, advertisements and serials
through video cassette recorders or video cassette players or VCDs or DVDs;
(b) any audio or visual or audio-visual live performance or
presentation; and the expression “programming service” shall be construed
accordingly;
(17) “Registering authority” means the registering authority notified
under clause (h) of Section 2 of the Cable Television Net works (Regulation) Act,
1995 (Central Act 7 of 1995);
(18) “Subscriber” means a person who receives the signal of cable
television network at a place indicated byhim to the cable operator, without
further transmitting it to any other person or any Video Library subscriber;
(19) “VCD” means Video Compact Disc;
(20) “Video Cassette Recorder” means a cinematograph for the purpose of
giving cinematograph exhibition of films recorded on video cassette tape
including VCDs and DVDs of recording or exhibition;
(21) “Video library” means a place by whatever name called, where the
business of selling, letting on hire, distribution, exchange, or putting into
circulation in any manner whatsoever, of films for the purpose of exhibition is
carried on.]
1[3. Exhibition through Video Cassette Recorder to be Licensed - (1) Save
as otherwise provided under the Act,-
(a) no person shall give an exhibition on Television Screen,-
(i) through Video Cassette Recorder without a licence; and
1 . The Section 3 is substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 3.
(ii) in place other than that in respect of which permission has
been granted under section 6;
(b) subject to the provision of the sub-section (1),-
(i) no business other than the exhibition on Television Screen
through Video Cassette Recorder shall be carried on in a place in respect of
which permission has been granted under the Act by any person and at any
time;
(ii) no person shall be in possession of VCD or DVD which is
contrary to the provision of the Act by any person and at any time;
(iii) no person shall possess any pirated video cassette for
exhibition of film or selling or buying or let on rent or distribution.
(2) Nothing contained in clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall apply to any
exhibition on Television Screen through Video Cassette Recorder for domestic
purposes to the family members of a household.]
4. Video library to be licenced - (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, no
person shall keep any video library except under, and in accordance with a
licence granted under this Act.
(2) Where a person keeps more than one video library whether in the
same town or village or in different towns or villages, he shall obtain a separate
licence in respect of each such video library.
(3) Every licence for keeping a video library shall, save as otherwise
provided in this Act, expire on the last day of the year in which it was granted,
but may be renewed from year to year.
(4) (i) No person shall carry on the business of1[buying, letting, selling,
supplying] or distributing recorded video cassettes2[or VCDS or DVDS] except
under and in accordance with a licence granted under this Act.
(ii) No person shall record a film on a video tape3[or on a VCD or
DVD] in any shop, studio or in any business establishment except under and
in accordance with a licence granted under this Act.
(iii) A record shall be maintained by every licensee showing the
details of all video cassettes,4[VCDs or DVDs] acquired by him from time to
time and the said record shall be produced5[to any Police Officer not below the
rank of a Sub-Inspector] on demand.
5. Grant or refusal of licence - (1) The licensing authority shall, in deciding
whether to grant or refuse to grant or renew or refuse to renew any licence
under this Act have regard to the interest of the public generally and such
other matters as may be prescribed.
(2) The licensing authority shall not grant a licence under this Act,
unless it is satisfied -
1 . The words “buying, letting, selling, supplying” substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section
4.2 . The words “or VCDS or DVDS” inserted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 4.3 . The words “or on a VCD or DVD” inserted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 4.4 . The words “VCDS or DVDS” inserted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 4.5 . The words “to any Police Officer not below the rank of a Sub-Inspector” substituted by the
Act No. 14 of 2011, section 2.
(a) that the rules made under this Act have been complied with;
and
1[(b) in the case of an application for the grant of a licence for
exhibition, buying, selling, letting, supplying or distributing of
films, through recorded Video Cassettes or VCDs or DVDs, that
adequate precautions have been taken in the place, in respect of
which the licence is to be granted, to provide for the safety,
convenience and comfort of the persons attending exhibition
therein.]
(3) The licensing authority may, by order in writing, refuse to grant or
renew a licence if such authority is satisfied that, -
(a) the applicant has not complied with the provisions of this
Act or the rules made thereunder in respect of the
application for the grant of a licence; or
(b) the applicant has made wilful default in complying with,
or knowingly acted in contravention of, any requirement of
this Act or the rules made thereunder or the terms and
conditions of, and restrictions in any licence granted under
this Act; or
2[(c)in the case of an applicant for a licence for exhibition,
buying, selling, letting, supplying or distributing recorded
Video Cassettes or VCDs or DVDs such applicant has been
convicted of an offence under the Cinematograph Act, 1952
(Central Act XXXVII of 1952) or the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas
(Regulation) Act, 1955 (Act IV of 1955) or the Andhra
Pradesh Entertainments Tax Act, 1939 (Act 10 of 1939).]
(4) An application for the grant or renewal of a licence or permission
under this Act shall be made in such manner and within such time and shall
be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.
(5) Every licence or permission or the renewal thereof shall be in such
form as may be prescribed.
6. Permission for construction of buildings or installation of machinery,
etc -(1) Any person who intends:
(a) to use any place for the exhibition of film on television
screen through video cassette recorder; or
(b) to any site for constructing a building thereon for the
exhibition of films on television screen through video
cassette recorders; or
(c) to reconstruct any building for such exhibition of films; or
(d) to install any machinery in any place where such films
are proposed to be exhibited; or
(e) to use any place for keeping a video library; or
(f) to use any place to sell recorded video cassettes;
1 . The clause (b) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 5.
2 . The clause (c) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 5.
1[(g) to use any place to buy or sell or let or distribute any
VCD, DVD, or any other mode of recording of moving
picture.]
Shall make an application in writing to the licensing authority for
permission thereof together with such particulars as may be prescribed, and
any provision contained in any other law or the rules made thereunder in so far
as it relates to any of the matters specified above shall to apply to any
application made under this section.
2 [(2) The licensing authority shall thereupon, after consulting such
authority or officer as may be prescribed, grant or refuse to grant permission
and the provisions relating to licences for exhibition, buying, selling, letting,
supplying or distributing recorded Video Cassettes or VCDs or DVDs of films
on television screen through video cassette recorder shall, so far as may be,
apply to permission under this section.]
7. Power to issue directions –3[(1) The Government may issue such orders
and directions of a general character as they may consider necessary in respect
of any matter relating to licences for the exhibition on Television Screen
through Video Cassette Recorder or the keeping of Video Library, to licensing
authorities; and every licencing authority shall give effect to such orders and
directions.]
(2) The licensing authority may, from time to time, issue directions to any
licensee or licensees generally to whom licence for exhibition of films is granted
under this Act, requiring the licensee or licensees to exhibit in each show such
slides of public interest as may be supplied by that authority:
Provided that no direction issued under this section shall require any
licensee to exhibit more than three such slides at, or for more than four
minutes in any one show.
8. Letter of consent - (1) Every person exhibiting any film on television screen
through Video Cassette Recorder4[or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds] -
(a) licensed under Section 5 ; or
(b) for domestic purposes, to the family members of the household;
shall, in respect of each film which he exhibits, produce when
demanded5[by any officer of and above the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police] in
this behalf a letter of consent for such exhibition from the person who is the
first owner of the copyright of the cinematograph film under section 17 of  the
Copyright Act, 1957 (Central Act XIV of 1957) and in case such copyright has
been assigned under section 18 of the said Act from the assignee of such
copyright.
1 . The Clause (g) added by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 6.
2 . The sub-section (2) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 6.3 . The sub-section (1) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 7.
4 .   The words added by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 8.5 . The words substituted by the Act No. 14 of 2011, section 3.
(2) Every person keeping a Video library licensed under this Act shall, in
respect of each film in the possession, produce when demanded1[by any officer
of and above the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police] in this behalf a letter of
copyright of the cinematograph film under Section 17 of the Copyright Act,
1957 (Central Act XIV of 1957) and in case such copyright has been assigned
under Section 18 of the said Act, from the assignee of such copyright.
2[(3) Every person licensed under the Act, either to sell or to record
recorded video cassettes or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds shall in respect of each recorded
video cassette or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds in his possession, produce when demanded
3[by any Officer of and above the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police] authorized by
the Government in this behalf a letter of consent from the person who is the
first owner of the copyright of the recorded video cassette under section 17 of
the Copyright Act, 1957 and in case such copyright has been assigned under
section 18 of the said Act, from the assignee of such copyright.]
9. Licensee to exhibit only certified films – 4[(1) No person licensed under
the Act to exhibit films on television screen through video cassette recorders or
V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds shall exhibit or permit to be exhibited, any film other than a
film which has been certified as suitable for public exhibition by the authority
constituted under section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (Central Act
XXXVII of 1952) and which, when exhibited displays the prescribed mark of
that authority and has not been altered or tampered with in any way since
such mark was affixed thereto.]
(2) No person licensed under this Act, for keeping a video library shall
sell, let on hire, distribute, exchange or put into circulation in any manner
whatsoever any film other than a film which has been certified as specified in
sub-section (1).
5 [(3) No person licensed under the Act, for selling recorded video
cassettes or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds shall sell, let on hire, distribute, exchange or put
into circulation in any manner whatsoever any recorded video cassette or
V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds containing a film which has not been certified as specified in
sub-section (1)].
10. Power of Government or licensing authority to suspend the exhibition
of films in certain cases - (1) The Government in respect of the whole of the
State or any part thereof and the licensing authority within his jurisdiction,
may, if of opinion that any film which is being or is about to be publicly
exhibited is likely to cause a breach of the peace, by order, suspend the
exhibition of such film on television screen through6[Video Cassette Recorder
or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds],  and during such suspension, no person shall exhibit
such film or permit it to be exhibited in any place in the State or any part there
of as the case may be.
(2) Where an order under sub-section (1) has been issued by the
licensing authority a copy thereof, together with a statement of the reasons
1 . The words substituted by the Act No. 14 of 2011, section 3.2 . The sub-section (3) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 8.3 . The words substituted by the Act No. 14 of 2011, section 3.
4 . The sub-section (1) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 9.
5 . The sub-section (3) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 9.6 . The words “Video Cassette Recorder or V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds” substituted by the Act No. 13 of
2005, section 10.
there for shall forthwith be forwarded by him to the Government and the
Government may, on a consideration of all the facts of the case either confirm
or vary or annul the order.
(3) An order issued under sub-section (1) shall remain in force for a
period of two weeks from the date of its issue but the Government may, if they
are of opinion that the order should continue in force direct that the period of
suspension shall be extended by such further period as they may think fit:
Provided that the Government or the licensing authority may review their
own order.
11. Power to revoke or suspended licence - (1) Where the holder of a licence
for exhibition of films1[on television screen through Video Cassette Recorder
or V.C.D or D.V.D] has been convicted of an offence under clauses (a), (b) or (c)
of section 14 of the Andhra Pradesh Entertainments Tax Act, 1939 or has been
permitted to compound such offence under section 15 of the said Act, or has
been convicted of an offence under section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 or
of an offence under this Act, the licence may be revoked or suspended by the
licensing authority by an order in writing.
(2) If the licensing authority is satisfied either on a reference made to it in
this behalf or otherwise, that -
(a) a licence granted under this Act, has been obtained by
misrepresentation or fraud as to an essential fact, or
(b) the licensee has, without reasonable cause, failed to
comply with any of the provisions of this Act, or of the rules
made thereunder, or any of the terms and conditions of the
licence, then without prejudice to any other penalty to which
the licensee may be liable under this Act, the licensing
authority may, after giving the licensee an opportunity of
showing cause, revoke or suspend the licence, by an order in
writing specifying the reasons therefor and communicate the
same to the licensee.
12. Penalties - Any person who contravenes or attempts to contravene or
abets the contravention of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made
thereunder shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which shall not be less than three months, but which may extend to three
years and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees but
which may extend to ten thousand rupees.
13. Offences by companies - (1) Where an offence under this Act, has been
committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was
committed was incharge of and was responsible to the company for the
conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be
deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall, be liable to be proceeded against
and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any
such person liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was
committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to
prevent the commission of such offence.
1 . The words inserted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 11.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) where any
offence under this Act, has been committed by a company and it is proved that
the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of or is
attributable to any neglect on the part of any Director, Manager, Secretary or
other Officer, such Director, Manager, Secretary or other Officer shall be
deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against
and punished accordingly.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this section -
(a)"Company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or
other association of individuals; and
(b)"Director" in relation to a firm means a partner in the firm.
14. Power to enter, search and seize - (1) It shall be lawful for any Police
Officer not below the rank of1[an officer of and above the rank of Sub-Inspector
of Police] elsewhere-
(a) to enter, if necessary by force, whether by day or night, with
such assistance as he considers necessary, any premises, which
he has reason to suspect, are being used for purposes connected
with the recording on any film or the exhibition of films on the
television screen through video cassette recorder or keeping a video
library or selling recorded video cassettes in contravention of the
provisions of this Act;
(b) to search the premises and persons found therein;
(c) to take into custody and produce before a Judicial Magistrate
all such persons as are concerned or against whom a reasonable
compliant has been made or credible information has been
received or a reasonable suspicion exists of their having been
concerned with the exhibition of film or keeping a video library or
selling recorded video cassettes in contravention of the provisions
of this Act.
(d) to seize all things found therein which are intended to be used
or reasonably suspected to have been used in connection with
such recording on any film or with such exhibition of film or selling
recorded video cassettes or keeping a video library.
2[(2) The powers of the nature referred to in subsection (1) may also be
exercised by such officer as may be empowered in this behalf by the
Government.]
(3) All searches under this Section shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, (Central Act 2 of 1974).
15. Confiscation of video cassettes, etc - (1) Whenever an offence has been
committed which is punishable under this Act, the video cassettes, the video
cassette recorder, the television set3[VCDs, DVDs] and other equipment used
in the commission of the offence shall be liable to confiscation by an order of
the Magistrate trying the offence.
1 . The words “an officer of and above the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police” substituted by the
Act No. 14 of 2011, section 4.2 . The sub-Section (2) substituted by the Act No. 14 of 2011, section 4.
3 . The words “VCDs, DVDs” inserted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 12.
(2) A Magistrate trying an offence under this Act, shall not order release
of any property alleged to have been used in the commission of the offence
until the disposal of the case.
16. Cognizance of offence - No court other than the court of a Magistrate of
the First Class shall take cognizance of or try an offence under this Act.
17. Offences under this Act to be cognizable - Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, (Central Act 2 of 1974),
every offence punishable under this Act, shall be a cognizable offence.
18. Appeal - (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the licensing authority
refusing to grant or renew a licence or an order revoking or suspending a
licence under this Act, may, within such time and on payment of such fee as
may be prescribed, appeal to the Government.
(2) The Government may stay the execution of any such order, pending
exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) in respect thereof.
19. Powers of revision - (1) The Government may, either suo motu or on an
application call for and examine the record of the licensing authority in respect
of any proceedings under this Act, to satisfy themselves as to the legality or
regularity of such proceeding or the correctness, or propriety of any order made
therein; and if in any case it appears to them that any such proceeding or order
should be modified, annulled, reversed or remitted for reconsideration, they
may pass orders accordingly:
Provided that every application to the Government for the exercise of the
powers under this section shall be preferred within such time and
accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed.
(2) No order prejudicial to any person shall, be passed under sub-section
(1) unless such person has been given an opportunity of making his
representation.
(3) The Government may stay the proceeding or the execution of the
order pending the exercise of their power under sub-section (1) in respect
thereof.
20. Power to make rules - (1) The Government may, by notification make
rules for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power such rules
may provide for
(a) the terms, conditions and restrictions if any, subject to which
licences and permissions may be granted under this Act, the fees
for such licences and permissions, and the apportionment of such
fees between the Government and the local authority concerned;
(b) the regulation of cinematograph exhibitions for securing the
public safety.
(3) Every rule made under this Act, shall immediately after it is made, be
laid before the Legislative Assembly of the State if it is in session, and if it is
not in session, in the session immediately following for a total period of
fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive
sessions and if, before the expiration of the session in which it is so laid or the
session immediately following the Legislative Assembly agrees in making any
modification in the rule or in the annulment of the rule, the rule shall, from the
date on which the modification or annulment is notified, have effect only in
such modified form or shall stand annulled, as the case may be, so however
that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the
validity of anything previously done under that rule.
21. Savings - (1) Every person-
1[(i) exhibiting any film on television screen through video cassette
recorder, V.C.Ds or D.V.Ds or]
(ii) keeping any video library, or selling2[buying, letting on hire, or
distributing] recorded film cassettes; immediately before the
commencement of this Act, shall obtain a licence under this Act,
within a period of four weeks from such commencement.
3[(2) If the person referred to in sub-section (1) fails to obtain the licence
within the period mentioned in sub-section (1), he shall discontinue such
exhibition and in the case of video library, he shall close such video library and
in the case of selling, buying, letting on hire or distributing recorded film
cassettes, discontinue such transactions.]
(3) Nothing in the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955 (Act
IV of 1955)  shall apply to exhibition of film on television screen through video
cassette recorders.
(4) Save as otherwise provided in sub-section (3), the provisions of this
Act, shall be in addition to and not derogation of the Cinematograph Act, 1952
(Central Act XXXVII of 1952) and the Andhra Pradesh Entertainments Tax Act,
1939 (Act X of 1939), and any other law for the time being in force; and nothing
contained therein shall exempt any person from any proceeding by way of
investigation or otherwise which might, apart from this Act, be instituted
against him.
22. Protection of Acts done in good faith - No suit, prosecution or other legal
proceeding shall lie against any officer of the Government for anything which is
in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act, or the rules made
thereunder.
1 . The Clause (i) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 13.2 . The words inserted by the the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 13.
3 . The sub-section (2) substituted by the Act No. 13 of 2005, section 13.

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