The number is clear: two signed copies. The duty sits in Art. 10 of Law No. 5187 and its addressee is not the owner of the publication but the printer.
The Text
Art. 10/1: the printer is obliged to deliver two signed copies of every kind of publication they print, on the day of distribution or publication, to the public prosecutor's office of the locality.
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Under the duty | The printer |
| Number | Two copies |
| Character | Signed |
| Time | The day of distribution or publication |
| Place | The public prosecutor's office of the locality |
Later Printings Are Covered Too
The second sentence of the same paragraph: this duty also applies to later printings of the printed work that contain any change in content or form, and to facsimile printings.
The Receipt
The last sentence of the paragraph: a receipt is issued to the printer showing that they have performed the duty. That document is not merely a receipt; it determines the start of the limitation periods in Art. 26.
Why It Matters: The Limitation Period
Art. 26 requires criminal proceedings relating to offences committed through printed works or internet news sites to be brought within a specified period, as a condition of prosecution:
| Publication | Period to bring proceedings | Running from |
|---|---|---|
| Daily periodicals | Four months | The date the printed works were delivered to the prosecutor's office |
| Internet news sites | Four months | The date the criminal complaint about the story was made |
| Other printed works | Six months | The date of delivery |
The Counterpart for Internet News Sites
The paragraph added to Art. 10 by Law No. 7418 replaces the paper copy with an archive duty: content published on an internet news site is retained for two years, with accuracy and integrity ensured, so as to be delivered to a requesting public prosecutor's office where necessary. We cover this in the content retention guide.
A Third Duty: Legal Deposit
Summary
- The printer delivers two signed copies on the day of distribution or publication to the local public prosecutor's office and receives a receipt.
- The duty also applies to later printings containing changes and to facsimile printings.
- The date of delivery determines the start of the four- and six-month limitation periods in Art. 26, so it is not a mere formality.