Creates the "Public Domain Preservation Act"
If enacted, HB 1283 would amend Missouri's existing intellectual property laws by eliminating copyright claims on official documents created by state officers and employees, thereby placing these works in the public domain. This will significantly change how content produced by governmental bodies is accessed, allowing citizens to freely use, share, and build upon this material without legal constraints. This move is intended to further democratize access to information, reinforcing the idea that governmental content should ultimately belong to the public.
House Bill 1283, known as the Public Domain Preservation Act, is designed to enhance public access to government-produced materials by ensuring they remain in the public domain. The bill proposes that content created as part of an official's duties, such as judicial opinions, administrative rulings, legislative enactments, and public ordinances, shall not be protected by federal copyright or patent laws. This aims to facilitate broader dissemination of governmental information and enhance transparency in public administration.
There are points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding the exceptions it includes. The legislation specifies that materials produced by independent contractors or third parties, unless commissioned explicitly for public use, are not covered under the public domain provisions. Furthermore, works generated by employees of public schools and higher education institutions during their term of employment are also excluded from this protection, raising concerns among educators about the rights to their creations. Proponents argue that the bill promotes transparency, while critics warn it might undermine the rights of creators linked to public institutions.