I reported previously on attempts to break the copyright over Oregon laws. It looks like the same thing is happening in California. And the person leading the charge is no other than Carl Malamud, who forced the SEC to put all filings online. Check out his public.resource.org site.

It is astonishing that this could even be an issue of debate. People out there actually believe that you should have to pay the government (or third party proxy) money for the privilege of telling you what the law is?? Right out of Orwell, Huxley and the rest.

It would be reasonable to have to pay for the actual raw materials and distribution costs for printed versions, but that is obviously not an issue in a digitized world. They want payment for the content of the law itself. Very scary indeed.

Justin:

I agree with you. We paid for this information already through taxes and the payment of court costs. Further, this information is often the basis for the interpretation of laws. In a way, keeping this kind of information from the public is like telling someone that they have to pay to know the law. Say WHAT? The height of absurdity.

Incidentally, the Federal Register is completely digitized and many states put court records on line, and all of this wonderful information, paid for by our tax dollars, is available for FREE! Just think if all the lovely reading available!