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Arizona

What is the law?

Binding, on-point law (about)

None

Advisory sources (about)

None

Public records law (about)

Arizona's first open records law was enacted in 1901. The current public records law can be found at Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 39-121. See generally, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, Open Government Guide: Access to Public Records and Meetings in Arizona and National Association of Counties, Open Records Laws: A State by State Report, 17-18 (2010).

Does the public records law restrict the use of disclosed records?

The Arizona public records law requires requestors to provide a statement of purpose if they request public records for commercial purposes. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 39-121.03(A). If the stated purpose is deemed an "abuse" of the right to receive public records, the request may be denied, and provisions are included which penalize fraudulent non-disclosure of purpose by the requestor. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 39-121.03(B-C).

Specifics and examples (about)

Status Applies to... Based on?
Not copyrightable Arizona Supreme Court opinions [1] Ariz. Const. art. VI, § 8 (stating that decisions are "free for publication by any person"), as interpreted in 1963 Az. Att'y Gen. Op. No. 63-19 (R-229)
Copyrightable by rule "Documents and materials produced and copyrighted by the [Arizona Supreme] court" AZ ST S CT Rule 123

Additional things to consider (about)

The Arizona State Library indicates that works of the Arizona state government are protected by copyright.

The Arizona public records law requires that records be "open to inspection by any person". Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 39-121.

The Arizona code refers to public records as the "property of this state." Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 41-151.15.

Where else to go

Bibliography

Statutes

Administrative Rules

Attorney General Opinions

Other

Footnotes