OpenLegislation

Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order mades it unlawful for any distributor or exhibitor to make or carry out an agreement (whether existing or future) for exhibition of a film at a cinema if that agreement contains exclusivity terms (terms restricting distribution) relating to more than one film. The Order also makes it unlawful for an exhibitor to refuse to deal with a distributor on the ground that exclusivity terms for more than one film have not been agreed or complied with.

The Order does not apply to agreements in so far as they are agreements to which the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 (c. 34) applies. Nor does it apply to two or three films being shown as a single programme.

Copies of the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on which the Order is based (Cmnd. 8858) may be obtained from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.