The city of Schenectady has decided to copyright it’s own laws and charge people an ‘exclusive license’ in the amount of 200 dollars to familiarize yourself with them.

The city is in the process of publishing the laws online–to be available to the public for free. The city considers the laws it’s own private property. You can purchase a CD version, bundled with its software, for $200.

Complaints have been voiced by citizens of Schenectady that their laws are inaccessible. One citizen of the city tried to obtain a copy of the laws simply to understand what the city allows and doesn’t allow but was denied in a formal letter. “The materials requested are protected by copyright and release of the materials is through exclusive license only” was the reply from the city.

One question that begs to be answered is can civilians be held accountable to laws that cannot be accessed in a usable format and without the permission of an exclusive deal.