Bill > B26-0490

This bill requires the District of Columbia Public Library to implement fair and open licensing practices for electronic books and digital audiobooks by prohibiting publishers from imposing restrictive contract terms. Specifically, the bill prevents publishers from limiting the library's ability to loan digital materials through provisions that would prohibit interlibrary loans, restrict the number of times a book can be loaned, require excessive pricing, prevent preservation copies, or limit contract transparency. The bill includes detailed definitions for key terms like "electronic literary material," "publisher," and "loan," and establishes a mechanism where if ten or more states enact similar laws covering at least 50 million people, the library must comply with the new restrictions. The bill does allow some reasonable limitations, such as restricting simultaneous user access and implementing technological protections to prevent unauthorized extended use of digital materials. The provisions aim to ensure libraries can provide equitable and affordable access to electronic books and audiobooks for their patrons, addressing concerns about increasingly restrictive and expensive digital licensing agreements in the publishing industry.

Health and Social Services

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0490