{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662.json",
  "id": "aep/Cha2/14/33",
  "title": "Licensing of the Press Act 1662",
  "short_title": "Licensing of the Press Act 1662",
  "long_title": "An Act for preventing the frequent Abuses in printing seditious treasonable and unlicensed Bookes and Pamphlets and for regulating of Printing and Printing Presses.",
  "citation": "14 Cha. 2 c. 33",
  "type": "aep",
  "year": "Cha2/14",
  "number": "33",
  "version": "current",
  "date": null,
  "revised": false,
  "valid_from": null,
  "extent": null,
  "unapplied_effects": 0,
  "provisions": [
    {
      "path": "introduction",
      "kind": "introduction",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Introductory text",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/introduction",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": null,
      "heading": "Recital that the regulating of Printers is matter of public Care, and that many have been of late encouraged to print and sell seditious. Pamphlets, &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/II",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "II",
      "heading": "No private Person to print any Book, &c. unless first entered with the Stationers' Company of London; Exceptions; and unless first duly licensed.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-II",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/III",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "III",
      "heading": "Every Person authorized to license, to have one written Copy of the Book; which is to be delivered by Licenser to the Owner for printing, and afterwards returned to the Licenser to be kept.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-III",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/IV",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "IV",
      "heading": "Merchants and Importers of Books to import the same into London only, unless special Licence;",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-IV",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/V",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "V",
      "heading": "No Persons to print or import Copies of Books, Books, Indentures, &c. in which others have any Right by Letters Patent, &c. solely to print, without the Consent of the Owners;",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-V",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/VI",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "VI",
      "heading": "Printers of Books, &c. to set their Names thereto, and declare the Name of the Author if required.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-VI",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/VII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "VII",
      "heading": "No Haberdasher of Small Wares, &c. not licensed, nor being a Freeman of London, nor a Member of the Stationers' Company, to sell, &c. Books, &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-VII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/VIII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "VIII",
      "heading": "No Merchant or other Person to print beyond Sea or import English Books, &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-VIII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/IX",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "IX",
      "heading": "No Person to erect a Printing Press or House, or let Premises for Printing, without giving Notice to the Stationers' Company.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-IX",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/X",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "X",
      "heading": "No Person to be admitted a Master Printer till the Master Printers be reduced to Twenty, (Exception) which number is to be continued, and Four Master Letter Founders.; In case of Death, &c. of any Master Printer or Founder, the said Archbishop, &c.; to appoint another.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-X",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XI",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XI",
      "heading": "The Number of Presses which Master Printers are allowed to keep.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XI",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XII",
      "heading": "The Number of Apprentices which Printers (except the King's Printer) and Letter Founders are allowed to take and retain.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XIII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XIII",
      "heading": "Master Printers and Master Letter Founders to take care that Journeymen are employed;",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XIII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XIV",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XIV",
      "heading": "Messengers of the King's Chamber by Warrant under Sign Manual or the Hand of Secretary of State, or Master and Wardens of Stationers' Company, with a Constable, may search Houses, &c. for Books, &c. and may demand a Sight of Licence; and seize Books and Offenders.; Justices may imprison.; If Searchers find unlicensed Book which they suspect, they may seize and take it to Archbishop; &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XIV",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XV",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XV",
      "heading": "Printers, Letter Founders, &c. working for the Trade, offending.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XV",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XVI",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XVI",
      "heading": "Printers to reserve Three Copies of every Book, one for the King's Library, and one for each of the Universities.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XVI",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XVII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XVII",
      "heading": "Proviso for Universities licensing.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XVII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XVIII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XVIII",
      "heading": "No Search in Houses of Peers, or of Persons using other Trades, without special Licence.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XVIII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XIX",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XIX",
      "heading": "Booksellers may import certain Books ready bound not formerly prohibited.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XIX",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XX",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XX",
      "heading": "Proviso for Persons who have sold Books or Papers in Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster, &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XX",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XXI",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XXI",
      "heading": "Proviso for Grantees under the Great Seal, &c.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XXI",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XXII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XXII",
      "heading": "Proviso for John Streater, Stationer.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XXII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XXIII",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XXIII",
      "heading": "Proviso for keeping and using a Printing Press in the City of York with Conditions.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XXIII",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    },
    {
      "path": "section/XXIV",
      "kind": "section",
      "number": "XXIV",
      "heading": "Continuance of Act.",
      "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/section-XXIV",
      "extent": null,
      "status": null,
      "parent": null
    }
  ],
  "has_text": true,
  "pdfs": [],
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  "made_under": [],
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  "changes_made_to_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/changes.json",
  "changes_made_by": 0,
  "changes_made_by_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/changes/by-it.json",
  "instruments_made_under": 0,
  "instruments_made_under_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/licensing-of-the-press-act-1662/instruments.json",
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/aep/Cha2/14/33",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T20:31:43.999284+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}