Comments on: Can a State copyright its statutes?

By: SPO

SPO — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:13:52 +0000

The state has zero interest in its laws. None. The law is, by definition, public property.

By: MissConductPDX

MissConductPDX — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:42:59 +0000

Oh, PS: There ain’t nothing wrong with Oregon. We have mountains, we have an ocean, we have a court that continues to rule that the cops don’t have a right to talk to you most of the time.

We have Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution which protects the freedom to express yourself on any topic “whatever.” Hell, it even protects live sex shows: http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/S49707.htm

Alright, so the Portland cops tend to beat people up: http://circuit9.blogspot.com/2007/06/players-great-victory-by-portland-afpd.html, but at least I can point to two volcanos from my office in downtown Portland.

Oh, and the fishing is great.

By: MissConductPDX

MissConductPDX — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:28:48 +0000

‘Kay. Here I am, a PD from Portland, Oregon.

I have NEVER had any difficulties accessing Oregon’s code on-line here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/

It’s all there. As a matter of fact, it was all there LONG before the books were available for purchase.

Additionally, our legislative archives are also readily accessible on-line: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/banners/legis.htm

The whole things sounds stupid, I know, but the state has a proprietary interest in the formatting of the laws, at least, don’t you think?

By: SPO

SPO — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:53:17 +0000

It’s BS. The people who are trying to do this ought to be locked up.

By: Windypundit

Windypundit — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:41:55 +0000

“Also, what the hell is wrong with Oregon? Why, in this day and age, would you be so stubborn and so stupid? What is really the point of “protecting” the Code? I don’t understand what they’re trying to accomplish, other than look foolish.”

I think they’re trying to do the same thing everyone else tries to do with a copyright. Quoting from the website of the Oregon State Legislature:

The 2007 Oregon Revised Statutes and other law publications are available for purchase from the Office of Legislative Counsel.

$390 for the whole set.

(Here in Chicago, the electrical codes aren’t online at all, but you can buy a book. The book is sold by a third party. I’ll bet they contribute a lot to their alderman’s campaign fund.)

“Anyway, anyone see a potential notice problem here?”

I’m sure anyone with an interest in Oregon statutes is welcome to visit the state house and examine a copy in the clerk’s office during regular business hours.