SIIA Joins Creative Industries in Opposing State E-Book Licensing Bills

A coalition of leading creative industry organizations-including SIIA-has sent letters opposing four state bills in Illinois, Rhode Island, and Hawaii that would regulate how copyrighted works are licensed to libraries. The groups argue these proposals (IL HB 5236, RI S 2525, RI H 7606, and HI HB 2577) are unconstitutional, as they attempt to override federal copyright law by dictating licensing terms for eBooks and other digital content.

The letters emphasize that these measures would harm authors, publishers, and the broader creative economy-an industry supporting over 11 million jobs and contributing more than $2 trillion annually to U.S. GDP. They also warn that such policies could reduce access to creative works by undermining existing licensing markets and discouraging innovation. While reaffirming support for public libraries, the coalition urges policymakers to reject these bills and pursue solutions that respect federal law and sustain the creative ecosystem.