RNI
Guest
(Querist) 04 June 2010
This query is : Resolved
I would like to know the requirements and registration procedure for registering a periodical/newspaper according to RNI
A V Vishal
(Expert) 04 June 2010
Guidelines/Procedure for allotment of titles
Application Procedure –
1. Application for title verification must be routed through the Magistrate concerned
in the prescribed format.
2. The application for title verification must bear the seal and signature with date of
Magistrate concerned.
3. The application must contain the names of proposed title/titles, its language,periodicity, owner’s name and address and place of publication.
4. The applicant shall have to give an undertaking that the title/titles proposed is/are not owned by any Govt. agency.
5. Applications for title verification, incomplete in any respect would be liable for
rejection.
6. Titles would be allotted on first-come-first-serve basis, except in conditions laid down under these guidelines.
7. In following cases title may be allotted on priority basis:
a. Where applicant produces NOC from Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting in case of a Foreign Title.
b. Where existing title owner applies for a title which is same as the title owned by him and can not be allotted to any other.
c. In case of a direction from the court or any statutory authority, which is binding and it is decided not to appeal against the direction/order.
d. Where a title is rejected by RNI inadvertently and on reconsideration it is
found that the same could have been allotted to the applicant.
e. In all other cases as decided by Press Registrar for reasons to be recorded in writing.
Procedure to be followed for Title Verification –
1. Titles same or similar to a Foreign Title (F.T) in any language may not be
allotted until a valid license agreement with the foreign title owner is produced.
2. As per PRB Act, 1867, same or similar title shall not be allotted in a State in any language and in the same language no title same or similar to the existing ones shall be allotted in the whole of India.
3. In cases where an applicant has applied for a title and a Discrepancy Letter (D/L) is issued, the title would be blocked/held for a period of one month and the applicant would be asked to furnish reply to the discrepancy within two weeks of issue of the letter.
4. Titles having words same or similar to a government organisation, foreign
government organisation, institutions, prominent titles, trade marks or
prominent brands shall not be verified as these may mislead public or exploit/misuse the name of the organisation/institution and may also violate trade mark and copy right Acts.
5. In case of a periodical pertaining to a government department/institution or
any association/organisation, the ownership will be allotted in the name of the organisation and the applicant would be advised accordingly.
6. Titles making use of any kind of symbol other than alphabets/numerals and
words sounding absurd or meaningless may not be allotted.
7. Titles which are Obscene or offending to public sense or titles having symbols or any other object which may not be in public interest should not be allowed.
8. Combining two independent titles to make one new title and extracts from any existing title/s which does not make the new title substantially dissimilar would not be verified.
9. Titles would be considered similar if they contain the same words whether in same or in different order irrespective of language, place of publication and periodicity.
10. Suffixing or prefixing the words relating to city, state, periodicities, language,
prepositions/adjectives, articles (A, An, The) etc., to an existing title can not be considered as different. Such most commonly used words are: The,Times, Daily, Dainik, Weekly, V/Wartha, Aaj, Today, Express, News, India,National, Rashtriya etc. Suffix or prefix of such words does not necessarily
change the meaning of a title already verified. Therefore, titles with such
prefixes and suffixes shall be considered as similar titles.
11. Prefixing or suffixing any generic word to any existing titles, which does not
substantially alter formation or meaning to the existing title, would be considered similar to the existing titles. However generic words shall not be treated as proprietary.
12. In case of any doubt regarding same or similarity, the decision of Press Registrar will be final.
13. Press Registrar shall have power to cancel a verified title, if not registered,after recording the reason(s) in writing.
14. Titles resembling Government Organisations/Departments, names of
National Leaders and Heads of the Government functionary cannot be
verified in any language. Names of prominent political parties of Central/State Government shall be considered with proper justification.
15. Any title which is same or similar to any national emblem or name or given
the impression of the patronage of Central Government or State Government or shows any connection with any local authority or any
corporation or body or body corporate constituted by the government under
any law, or any international organisation such as UN etc., shall not be allotted, as provided under “The emblem and names (Prevention of improper use) Act, 1950.”
16. The list is illustrative, but not exhaustive.
A V Vishal
(Expert) 04 June 2010
The Application should:
1. Be signed in FULL by the concerned DM/ADM/SDM and CMM in case of Metros and DCP (Licensing) in case of Delhi.
2. Not be signed 'FOR' or 'ON BEHALF OF' as well as simply initialed.
3. Have FULL NAME of the concerned authority.
4. Hold FULL DESIGNATION of the authority.
5. Carry the Official Rubber Seal of the Office of the authority i.e. (DM/ADM/SDM/CMM/DCP).
6. The titles similar to titles of Foreign Newspapers would be verified only in respect of such applicants who have entered into a valid agreement with the Foreign Newspaper concerned and possess the clear consent of the latter to get the titles of the Foreign Newspaper Verified in India.
A V Vishal
(Expert) 04 June 2010
FORMAT OF APPLICATION FOR TITLE VERIFICATION
A V Vishal
(Expert) 04 June 2010
After receiving the Title Verification Letter from the Press Registrar, the printer/publisher has to make a declaration before the Magistrate. The Declaration is to be made in Form I as given in the Schedule to the Registration of Newspapers (Central) Rules, 1956. Copies of the form will be available with the Magistrate.
If the printer and the publisher are different or the place of publication and printing come under the jurisdiction of two different magistrates, separate declarations should be made before the Magistrate(s).
The Magistrate will either authenticate the declaration or issue an order refusing to authenticate it, as the case may be.
A copy each of the authenticated declaration will be sent by the Magistrate with his/her attestation to the person(s) who made the declaration and to the Press Registrar.
Format of Declaration.
A V Vishal
(Expert) 04 June 2010
REGISTRATION OF NEWSPAPER: After publication of the first issue of the newspaper as provided under section 5(5) of the PRB act, the RNI must be requested to issue a certificate of registration to the newspaper. The check list/guidelines for registration of newspapers/periodicals are as under :-
1. Documents required:
a. Photocopy of title verification letter issued by RNI.
b. Attested copy of Declaration authenticated by the DM/ADM/DCP /CMM/SDM as prescribed in form-I.
c. First issue indicating Volume - I and Issue-I.
d. An affidavit from the publisher for "No Foreign Tie-up" in the prescribed form (Annexure-IV)
2. Separate declaration should be filed in case the printer and publisher are different or the place of publication and place of printing come under the jurisdiction of two different magistrates.
3. The first issue should indicate Volume-I and Issue-I, date line, page number and the title in full prominently on the cover.
4. The publication should be brought out within six weeks (in case of daily/weekly) and three months (in case of other periodicity) from the date of authentication of Declaration.
5. The imprint line should contain the name of the Publisher, Printer, Owner, Printing press with complete address, Place of publication with complete address and the name of the editor.
If the documents are found to be complete in all respects and the publication is in order, the Press Registrar will enter the particulars of the newspaper in the register maintained by him and issue a Certificate of Registration to the publisher.
RNI does not accept incomplete applications for registration or issuing of Revised registration certificate. All pending applications for registration or revised registration will be processed only when all the complete and correct documents are submitted.
Please see the following Check List for the required documents:-
For the Certificate of Registration:
a) Copy of title verification letter
b) Attested copy of the declaration duly filled in and authenticated by the District Magistrate/Addl. District Magistrate etc.
c) Affidavit for 'No foreign tie up' duly filled in and notarized.
d) First Issue of publication brought out within 42 days in case of dailies and weeklies and 90 days for fortnightly and above.
e) Copy of the latest issue of the publication.
For Revised certificate of registration:
Following documents are required on the basis of which Revised Registration Certificate is issued:
a) Original Certificate of Registration issued by the O/o Registrar of Newspapers for India and in case it is lost, he/she is required to submit the affidavit for loss of certificate duly filled in and notarized along with the IPO of Rs.5/-.
b) Attested copy of the latest declaration, duly filled in and authenticated by DM/ADM concerned.
c) Affidavit for No foreign tie up, duly filled in and notarized.
d) Latest issue of the publication.
FRESH/REVISED CERTIFICATES
A fresh declaration is to be made in the case of any change in (a) title (b) language (c) periodicity (d) ownership (e) place of publication (f) place of printing (g) publisher and (h) printer. It will be necessary to apply to the Press Registrar for a revised certificate of registration. A revised certificate will not be necessary if the fresh declaration has been made under other circumstances.
The documents required are given below:
(a) An attested photocopy of the fresh declaration duly authenticated by the magistrate concerned etc. indicating the change(s).
(b) A copy of the latest issue of the publication with correct imprint line, title and date line printed on each page of the publication.
(c) Original Certificate of registration issued by the office of RNI.
(d) If Original Certificate of Registration is lost, damaged, stolen etc., an affidavit duty signed by a magistrate, with a five rupee Indian Postal Order in favour of RNI has to be furnished.
(e) In case of change of ownership, attested photocopy of the transfer deed in respect of ownership, duly authenticated by the magistrate concerned, is also to be submitted.
(f) In case of change of title/language, a copy of the title verification letter is to be submitted.
(g) An affidavit for no foreign tie-up.
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATES
When the original certificate of registration is lost, damaged, or stolen, and if none of the circumstances requiring a fresh declaration as noted above exist, an application may be submitted to the Press Registrar for issue of a duplicate certificate of registration with full details given on a separate sheet of paper. Please note that if the certificate has been lost or stolen, adequate documentary proof of having reported the matter to the concerned police authorities, such as a copy of the FIR or a copy of the complaint bearing their stamp/seal, would be necessary. The documents required are as under:
(a) An affidavit to this effect duly authenticated by Notary or the Magistrate concerned under his signature and office seal.
(b) Attested photocopy of the latest declaration authenticated by the magistrate concerned.
(c) A copy of the latest issue of the publication with correct imprint line.
(d) An Indian Postal Order of Rs.5/- in favour of RNI.
(e) An affidavit for "No Foreign Tie Up"
G V S Jagannadha Rao
(Expert) 10 June 2010
I just cant help but write this to compliment Mr. Vishal for his excellent explanation. Great job Vishal
G V S Jagannadha Rao
(Expert) 10 June 2010
By the way Vishal, there is a bill to amend PRB Act. Can send you a copy if you want.
