Bill > LD732

This bill prohibits the state government of Maine from obtaining copyright protection for works created by state entities, with a few specific exceptions. The legislation adds a new section to Maine's state laws that explicitly bars copyright protection for state-created works under 17 United States Code or any future federal laws. However, the bill allows two key exceptions: first, copyright protection remains possible for merchandise sold by state departments or agencies, and second, the state can still receive and hold copyrights that are transferred to it through assignment, bequest, or pre-existing copyrights that were in place before this legislation takes effect. The bill also amends a previous section of law related to museum research and publications, removing language that previously allowed copyright protection for such works. The overall intent appears to be increasing public access to state-created works by preventing the state from restricting their use through copyright claims, while maintaining flexibility for specific commercial and pre-existing copyright scenarios.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=732&snum=132