Copyright Act 1994

Enforcement officers - General provisions that apply to powers of entry and search and entry and examination

134P: Powers and duties of person exercising power of entry and search or power of entry and examination

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"What to do when searching a place under the Copyright Act 1994"

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When you enter a place to search or examine it, you must tell the person in charge that you are going to do this. You must also say who you are and show them a document that says you have the power to do this, such as a search warrant or a copy of section 134D. You must give them a copy of this document and show them proof of who you are. If you think it is not safe to tell the person in charge before you enter, or if you think it might stop you from doing your job, you do not have to tell them. You can use reasonable force to get into the place if you need to, but only if it is really necessary. If the person in charge is not there, you must leave a note with the document that says you have the power to search, and some other information, like when you started and finished the search. The note must also say who was in charge of the search and where to go if you have questions. You must also say in the note if you took anything, and if so, you will give the person in charge a list of what you took within 7 days, as stated in section 134Q. This is also connected to section 134Q and sections 134R and 134S. If someone looks like they are under 14 years old, you cannot treat them as the person in charge. There are some other rules that might apply to this situation, but they are in sections 134R and 134S.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM4127217.

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134O: Application of sections 134P to 134S, or

"Rules for searching and examining things under the Copyright Act"


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134Q: Inventory of things seized, or

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Part 6AEnforcement officers
General provisions that apply to powers of entry and search and entry and examination

134PPowers and duties of person exercising power of entry and search or power of entry and examination

  1. A person exercising a power of entry and search or a power of entry and examination must,—

  2. before initial entry into or onto the place or thing to be searched or examined,—
    1. announce his or her intention to enter and search or to enter and examine the place or thing under a statutory power; and
      1. identify himself or herself; and
      2. before or on initial entry into or onto the place or thing to be searched or examined,—
        1. give the occupier of the place or thing a copy of the search warrant or, in the case of an examination, a copy of section 134D, (the authority) that authorises him or her to conduct the entry and search or entry and examination; and
          1. produce to the occupier of the place or thing evidence of his or her identity (which may include details of a unique identifier instead of a name).
          2. The person exercising a power of entry and search is not required to comply with subsection (1) if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that—

          3. no person is lawfully present in or on the place or thing to be searched; or
            1. compliance with subsection (1) would—
              1. endanger the safety of any person; or
                1. prejudice the successful exercise of the power of entry and search; or
                  1. prejudice ongoing investigations under this Act.
                  2. The person exercising a power of entry and search may use reasonable force in order to effect entry into or onto the place or thing if—

                  3. subsection (2) applies; or
                    1. following a request, the person present refuses entry or does not allow entry within a reasonable time.
                      1. If the occupier is not present at any time during the exercise of a power of entry and search, the person carrying out the search must,—

                      2. on completion of the search, leave a copy of the authority referred to in subsection (1)(b)(i) and the notice referred to in subsection (5) in a prominent position at the place or on the thing; or
                        1. if this is not reasonably practicable, provide the copy of the authority referred to in subsection (1)(b)(i) and the notice referred to in subsection (5) to the occupier no later than 7 days after the execution of the warrant.
                          1. The notice required by subsection (4) is a written notice containing the following particulars:

                          2. the date and time of the commencement and completion of the search:
                            1. the name or unique identifier of the person who had overall responsibility for that search:
                              1. the address of the office to which inquiries should be made:
                                1. if nothing is seized, the fact that nothing was seized:
                                  1. if any thing was seized, the fact that seizure occurred and, if an inventory is not provided at the same time under section 134Q, that an inventory of the things seized will be provided to the occupier or person in charge of the place or thing no later than 7 days after the seizure.
                                    1. For the purposes of this section and section 134Q, any person who appears to be under 14 years of age may not be treated as the occupier.

                                    2. Subsections (4) and (5) are subject to sections 134R and 134S.

                                    Notes
                                    • Section 134P: inserted, on , by section 6 of the Copyright Amendment Act 2011 (2011 No 72).