(1)Where after the coming into force of this section there is given in Great Britain a public performance of a new play, being a performance based on a script, a copy of the actual script on which that performance was based shall be delivered to the Trustees of the British Museum free of charge within the period of one month beginning with the date of the performance; and the Trustees shall give a written receipt for every script delivered to them pursuant to this section.
(2)If the requirements of subsection (1) above are not complied with in the case of any performance to which that subsection applies, any person who presented that performance shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 1 on the standard scale].
(3)In this section “public performance of a new play” means a public performance of a play of which no previous public performance has ever been given in Great Britain, but does not include a public performance of a play which—
(a)is based on a script substantially the same as that on which a previous performance of a play given there was based; or
(b)is based substantially on a text of the play which has been published in the United Kingdom.
(4)For the purposes of this section a performance of a play given solely or primarily for one or more of the purposes mentioned in section 7(2)(a) and (b) of this Act shall be disregarded.
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46 and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G