Cinematograph - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition cinematograph

Definition :

Cinematograph, more properly cinematograph. A contrivance for projecting in rapid succession on a screen a series of instantaneous photographs so as to give the effect of motion (The Concise Oxford Dict.). The (English) Cinematograph Act, 1909, provides that an exhibition of pictures or other optical effects by means of a cinematograph or other similar appartus for the purpose of which inflammable films are used shall not be given unless the regulations made by the Home Secretary are complied with, or elsewhere that in premises licensed under the Act (s. 1). The Act does not apply, however, to exhibitions in private houses to which the public are not admitted [s. 7 (4)]. The exhibition of films by dealers or their agents to intending purchasers or hirers does not amount to an exhibition within the meaning of the Act, Attorney-General v. Vitagraph Co., 1915 (1) Ch 206. Sunday exhibitions, see (English) Sunday Entertainments Act, 1932 (22 & 23 Geo. 5, c. 51), s. 1 The Celluloid and (English) Cinematograph Film Act, 1922, makes provisions against fire in premises where celluloid or cinematograph films are stored or manufactured. Reference should be made to the abovementioned Acts and to the orders and regulations made thereunder, especially Cinematograph Regulations, 1923, No. 983, and 1924, No. 403. The (English) Cinematograph Films Act, 1927 (17 & 18 Geo. 5, c. 29), restricts blind booking of films and secures the renting of a quota of British films. See also Williams & Harris on the Act of 1909, and see PATENT; COPYRIGHT; QUOTA.

Includes any apparatus for the representation of moving pictures or series of pictures. [Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952), s. 2 (c)]

VCR/VCP are within the ambit of the definition of 'cinematograph' contained in s. 2(a) of the Act, Laxmi Video Theaters v. State of Haryana, (1993) 3 SCC 715: AIR 1993 SC 2328. [Punjab Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1952 (11 of 1952), s. 2(a)]