Bill would ban intentionally destroying older books for business purposes

People and organizations would be barred from intentionally destroying covered books for business purposes. Covered books would include those published before 1970 or included in a print run of fewer than 200 copies. The ban would apply only to intentional destruction for commercial, or business, purposes. Destruction means irreversibly removing pages from a book's binding or otherwise making it permanently unusable by a human reader. The ban would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.

Violators would face fines, and the New York attorney general could sue to collect them for the state. Penalties would cover people and organizations that violate the ban, including their agents and employees. Fines would be $500 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second, and $5,000 for a third or later violation. A third or later violation would also carry a court order to stop the unlawful conduct. Courts would also allow an added penalty of up to the book's market value. The attorney general could also sue online retailers when evidence leads them to believe a retailer has violated or is violating the ban. The penalties and enforcement powers would take effect immediately if the bill becomes law.