Maine Revised Statutes Title 12. Conservation § 5012-A. Dedicated accounts for sales of merchandise and acceptance of donations

The commissioner may create dedicated accounts in which to deposit money received from the sale of general merchandise products such as, but not limited to, t-shirts, audio and video recordings, coffee mugs, tote bags and calendars. Funds received by the commissioner from the sale of general merchandise products must be deposited in a dedicated account to be used only for the purpose of promoting and improving department programs. The commissioner may also accept money, goods and services donated to the department to support specific programs carried out by the department. Any money donated to the department in support of a specific program must be deposited into a dedicated account for the purpose of funding activities carried out by that program.

Merchandise sold by the commissioner must be of good quality and appropriate for sale by the department. To the extent the commissioner needs to contract with vendors to obtain goods or services in order to develop, create or manufacture merchandise for sale, the commissioner shall, to the maximum extent practicable, contract with vendors located in this State. The commissioner shall register with the United States Library of Congress, United States Copyright Office a copyright in any original pictorial, graphic or other artwork or original work of authorship produced by or under the direction of the department as a work made for hire that is used in merchandise sold by the department. The commissioner may use, manage or administer any copyright held by or license to use copyrighted materials obtained by the department and may manage the copying, use and dissemination of copies of copyrighted materials in which the department holds a copyright or license.