Bill Passed In New York: The New York State Senate has passed a bill that will limit prosecutors’ using song lyrics and other forms of “creative expression” as evidence in criminal cases.
Senate Bill S7527 will not ban the use of presenting lyrics or other material to a jury, but instead expects them to show that the work is “literal, rather than figurative or fictional.” Senators Jamaal Bailey and Brad Hoylman, who sponsored the bill, also received support from Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Fat Joe, and more.
However, before becoming law, the bill must pass the New York State Assembly and then a committee vote.
Alex Spiro, Jay-Z’s lawyer, told Rolling Stone: “This is an issue that’s important to Jay-Z and the other artists that have come together to try to bring about this change.
“I hope the governor and all the lawmakers in New York take our letter into consideration, protect our artistic rights and make the right decision to pass this bill,” he said.