Title 23. Libraries — Subtitle 7. Electronic Literary Product Licenses
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 23-701 (2026)
Title 23. Libraries
Subtitle 7. Electronic Literary Product Licenses
§ 23–701LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Electronic literary product” means:
(1)
A text document that has been converted into or published in a digital format that is read on a computer, tablet, smart phone, or other electronic device; or
(2)
An audio recording of a text document, read out loud in a format that is listened to on a computer, tablet, smart phone, or other electronic device.
(c)
“Publisher” means a person in the business of manufacturing, promulgating, and selling books, audio books, journals, magazines, newspapers, or other literary productions, including those in digital form, that consist of text, imagery, audio recordings, or any combination of text, image, and audio recording.
(d)
“Unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices” has the meaning stated in § 13–301 of the Commercial Law Article.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 23-702 (2026)
Title 23. Libraries
Subtitle 7. Electronic Literary Product Licenses
§ 23–702LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a publisher who offers to license an electronic literary product to the public also shall offer to license the electronic literary product to public libraries in the State on reasonable terms that would enable public libraries to provide library users with access to the electronic literary product.
(b)
The terms of a license under subsection (a) of this section may include:
(1)
A limitation on the number of users a public library may simultaneously allow to access an electronic literary product;
(2)
A limitation on the number of days a public library may allow a user to access an electronic literary product; and
(3)
The use of technological protection measures that would prevent a user from:
(i)
Maintaining access to an electronic literary product beyond the access period specified in the license; and
(ii)
Allowing other users to access an electronic literary product.
(c)
The terms of a license under subsection (a) of this section may not include a limitation on the number of electronic literary product licenses a public library may purchase on the same date the electronic literary product license is made available to the public.
(d)
A violation of this subtitle shall constitute an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice and is subject to enforcement in accordance with Title 13, Subtitle 4 of the Commercial Law Article.