Bill > SB3167

This bill, titled the "Equitable Access to Electronic Literature Act," aims to ensure that libraries have reasonable access to electronic books and digital audiobooks purchased with public funds. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. Publishers who offer electronic literary products (e-books and digital audiobooks) to the public must also offer to license those products to libraries on reasonable terms and under reasonable technological protection measures that allow libraries to provide access to their patrons. 2. Reasonable terms may include limiting the number of circulations per license, the number of simultaneous users, and the access period, while reasonable technological measures may include preventing users from maintaining access beyond the set period and limiting loan period or reproduction. 3. The bill prohibits publishers from including contract provisions that restrict or limit a library's right to loan or circulate electronic books and digital audiobooks, make preservation copies, or use reasonable technological protection measures for circulation. 4. Violations of the Act are considered unlawful practices under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, with penalties of fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The bill aims to promote equitable access to electronic literary products for library patrons while balancing the business interests of publishers.

Government Affairs

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3167&GAID=16&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=110&GA=102