WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor

preempted by federal law. Although some portions of the bill may
be severable, the fundamental thrust of the legislation is
thwarted by federal copyright law. Accordingly, I have decided
to veto House Bill 1402.

A copy of the Opinion of the Attorney General is attached and
should be considered a part of this veto message.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

House Bill No. 1402

AN ACT concerning

Recordings - Unauthorized Copying

FOR the purpose of prohibiting the transfer of certain sounds or
images from certain videocassettes, certain articles, and
other media to other certain videocassettes and other media
under certain circumstances; prohibiting the transfer of
certain sounds or images of certain performances to certain
videocassettes or other media under certain circumstances;
prohibiting certain sale or distribution of certain
videocassettes or other media under certain circumstances;
providing certain exceptions; altering certain penalties for
certain violations of this section; providing for certain

forfeiture and destruction of certain articles and

equipment; providing that certain private litigation rights
are unaffected; and generally relating to certain
unauthorized copying.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 467A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1987 Replacement Volume and 1988 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

467A.

- 5011 -