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Court rules basemaps are exempt from California Public Records Act
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 06/09/2011 15:56:00
- In: Amicus briefs
ASNE has a strong track record on amicus briefs. However, a recent California case involving access to geographic information system basemaps is a notable and potentially costly exception.
ASNE has a strong track record on amicus briefs. However, a recent California case involving access to geographic information system basemaps is a notable and potentially costly exception. ASNE Legal Counsel Kevin M. Goldberg wrote about the case shortly after the brief was filed, arguing that basemaps are not exempt from the California Public Records Act. If the exemption is granted, the state will be able to sell the maps for a substantial fee. ASNE joined several other media organizations in explaining to the California Court of Appeals that the maps are nonexempt public records. The brief also described how the maps have been used by news organizations to identify trends across local communities. Unfortunately, the court ruled last week 
that GIS basemaps are exempt as “mapping systems” rather than freestanding information. ASNE expects the case to be appealed to the California Supreme Court and intends to participate at that level as well.
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