(a) For purposes of this article, “state publication” or “publication” includes any document, compilation, journal, law, resolution, Blue Book, statute, code, register, pamphlet, list, book, report, memorandum, hearing, legislative bill, leaflet, order, regulation, directory, periodical, or magazine, in physical or electronic format, issued by the state, the Legislature, constitutional officers, or any department, commission, or other agency thereof or prepared for the state by a private individual or organization and issued in print for access by the public. For purposes of this section, “print” includes either physical or electronic format. The publications of the University of California, however, and intraoffice or interoffice publications and forms are not state publications for purposes of this article.
(b) Publications prepared by an officer or employee of the state as part of the person’s official duties shall be placed in the public domain.
(c) Documents in the public domain can generally be reprinted without legal restriction. However, state government publications may contain copyrighted material that was used with the permission of the copyright owner. Publication in a government document does not authorize any use or appropriation of the copyrighted material without consent of the owner.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 110, Sec. 36. (SB 820) Effective September 18, 2020.)