What's happening
This bill waives copyright protection for government records required to be disclosed, with exceptions for artistic, scientific, or commercial uses.
Why it matters
Increases public access to government records. By waiving copyright for most government documents required to be disclosed, this bill makes it easier for journalists, researchers, and the general public to use, share, and republish government information without fear of legal repercussions.
Limits government control over public information. The change reduces barriers to transparency and accountability by preventing agencies from using copyright claims to restrict the dissemination or analysis of records that should be publicly available.
Carves out exceptions for creative and commercial works. The bill allows agencies to retain copyright when records are artistic, scientific, or academic in nature, or when the agency intends to commercially distribute the work, acknowledging the need to protect certain types of government-created intellectual property and potential revenue sources.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit State Copyright Claims
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading cal.186
- Returned to assembly
- Died in senate
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Advanced to third reading cal.73
- Reported
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Limit Agency Copyright Claims
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2401
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF, PAULIN, LUPARDO, JAFFEE, KAVANAGH, OTIS, TITONE, ABINANTI -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COOK, GOTTFRIED, PERRY, ROSENTHAL, SIMON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the public officers law, in relation to the ability of government agencies in New York to claim copyright protection
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 89 of the public officers law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. Any copyright in a record prepared by an agency that is required to be disclosed pursuant to the provisions of this article is waived, except where the record reflects artistic creation, scientific or academic research, or if the agency intends to distribute the record or a derivative work based on it to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or license. If any of the foregoing exceptions apply, the entity from which the record is sought may in its discretion elect to waive any such copyright.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01944-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.