What was the purpose of Book Acts?

The purpose of Book Acts was to provide a mechanism for the British Parliament to control the publication and distribution of books. The first Book Act was passed in 1534 and was followed by a series of other acts that expanded and strengthened the government's control over the book trade. The acts required printers and publishers to obtain licenses from the government, and they also established a system of censorship to ensure that only approved books were published. The Book Acts were eventually repealed in the 19th century, but they had a significant impact on the development of the British publishing industry.