Bill > SB01234

This bill establishes new regulations for electronic book (e-book) and digital audiobook licensing agreements between libraries and publishers in the state. The legislation defines key terms such as electronic literary materials, libraries, publishers, and aggregators, and sets forth specific restrictions on what publishers can include in their licensing contracts. Libraries will be prohibited from entering into agreements that limit their ability to loan electronic materials, such as restricting the number of loans, preventing interlibrary loans, limiting license purchases, or preventing preservation copies. The bill becomes effective 60 days after the Secretary of State, in consultation with the State Librarian, determines that similar laws have been enacted in other states with a combined population of at least seven million people. Libraries will still be allowed to negotiate agreements that include limitations on simultaneous borrower access and technological protection measures to prevent extended or unauthorized access to materials. The goal of the bill appears to be protecting libraries' traditional lending functions and ensuring fair access to digital literary materials while respecting publishers' concerns about content distribution and potential misuse.

Government Affairs

Government Administration and Elections Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB01234&which_year=2025