New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have required publishers to distribute digital works to public libraries, saying the legislation is preempted by federal copyright law.
The legislation would have compelled publishers to distribute electronic books and other digital works to libraries on “reasonable terms” as defined in the bill. It also would have imposed penalties for non-compliance.
A bill summary said embargoes restrict timely availability of e-books to public libraries by requiring an eight-week wait to purchase more than one license for a title.
“This discriminatory practice will restrict access in ways that harm library systems ...