Bill > A05008

This bill amends the New York Public Officers Law to generally waive copyright protections for government agency records that are required to be disclosed, with specific exceptions. The exceptions include records that contain artistic, creative, or scholarly works of authorship, academic course materials, scientific or academic research, or records where the copyright owner intends to distribute the work through sale, transfer of ownership, rental, lease, or licensing. In such exceptional cases, the copyright owner retains the discretion to voluntarily waive copyright protection if they choose. The purpose of this legislation appears to be increasing transparency and public access to government-created documents, while still protecting certain types of specialized works that may have significant intellectual or commercial value. The bill will take effect 60 days after it becomes law, giving government agencies and potential copyright holders time to understand and prepare for the new regulations.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5008