What are the Key Benefits of the RNI Registration Certificate?

In India, the publication of newspapers, books and periodicals is regulated under the Press and Books Registration Act, 1867. This Act provides for the making of the office of the RNI (Registrar of Newspapers for India, a statutory body that was created through amending the Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867. In this blog, we focus on the Benefits of the RNI Registration Certificate, which the RNI are entrusted with-

• Maintenance and Compilation of a Register of Newspapers.
• Verifying circulation claims or other non-statutory Functions.
• Grant of Certificate of Registration to the Newspapers.

Brief Overview of Registrar of Newspapers for India

Registration of Newspapers for India was established on 1^st July 1956, and it is also known as the office of the registrar of the Newspapers for India, Government of the statutory body of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Headquartered in New Delhi. RNI has five regional offices Based in Mumbai, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati, governed by the Press & Registration of Books Act^[1], which states that no newspaper should carry a heading similar to any other journal or newspaper already published either in the same or different languages unless the similar individual or organisation governs this, RNI has to perform a particular set of duty & functions.

Functions of the Registrar of Newspapers for India

The statutory Functions of the RNI are as follows:-

• Issuing of Registration Certificate to the newspapers published by valid declaration;
• To ensure that which newspapers are published according to the guidelines of PRB Act, 1867;
• Providing details to the district magistrates related to the availability of titles to the intending publishers;
• To maintain & compile a Register of Newspapers containing particulars about each newspaper published;
• Verification of circulation claims produced through the publishers as part of their yearly claim;
• To scrutinise and analyse information or annual statements shared by all the publishers regarding details on circulation, ownership, etc., this is done according to PRB Act.
• Compilation & submission of the report with relevant details and statistics about the press in India to the Government on/before 31^st December each year.

Non-Statutory Functions of the RNI:-

• To assess & certify the vital requirements of the newspaper establishments to import composing & printing machinery and allied materials.
• Formulation of newsprint allocation policy- issue & guidelines of eligibility certificate to import newsprint and procure indigenous newsprint;

Publishers who need RNI Registration Certificate

The Indian or Foreign entity entering a Publishing sector in India would need an RNI Registration Certificate. In addition, any editorials and magazine publication would need RNI Registration Certificate. Following are the Publisher’s needs RNI Registration Certificate:-

• Indian Newspaper: Any entity or company entering a newspaper’s business in India must have an RNI Registration Certificate. The Regional Newspapers would also need an RNI Registration.
• Foreign Newspaper: Any Foreign entity or company that seeks to publish their newspaper in India would have to take RNI Registration Certificate to start their publications.
• Editorials: an editorial, even the newspaper editorial, would need an RNI Registration Certificate.
• Magazines: any magazine in any language must have the RNI Registration Certificate.

Benefits of RNI Registration Certificate

Following are the Benefits of the RNI Registration Certificate:-

1. Recognition: By this form of registration, the newspaper and Publisher can secure some form of recognition throughout India. However, the RNI will update the publishers on any changes to the registration certificate requirements.
2. Protection against Third-Party Claims: Apart from the protection of the title, the registered Publisher would also get the benefits against any infringement proceedings related to copyright that could be provided by registering the publication.
3.  Protection to Title: From registering under this system of RNI, publishers would benefit protection of titles related to newspapers & publications. Protection of titles are crucial when it comes to the publishing sector.
4. Compliance: The registered Publisher would comply with the laws, i.e. the PRB Act, from securing this form of registration.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed some vital information about RNI, such as the Overview, functions, and benefits of the RNI Registration Certificate. It is vital to Certification any person or organisation who intends to start a business in publishing.

Read our Article:Requirements and Procedure for RNI Title Registration