(A) (1) Any person may inspect and copy the public records of any public agency during the regular business hours of the agency, except as provided in § 35.20. A request for inspection or copying must:
(a) Identify with reasonable particularity the record being requested; and
(b) At the discretion of the office or department, be in writing on a form provided by the office of the Clerk-Treasurer.
(2) No request may be denied because the person making the request refuses to state the purpose of the request, unless such condition is required by other applicable statute. (See commercial purposes exception, § 35.21(C).)
(B) A public agency may not deny or interfere with the exercise of the right stated in division (A) above. The public agency shall either:
(1) Provide the requested copies to the person making the request; or
(2) Allow the person to make copies:
(a) On the agency’s equipment; or
(b) On his or her own equipment.
(C) A person who receives information under this subchapter may not use the information for commercial purposes, including to sell, advertise or solicit the purchase of merchandise, goods or services, or sell, loan, give away or otherwise deliver the information obtained by the request to any other person (as defined in I.C. 5-14-3-2) for these purposes.
(D) Use of information received under this subchapter in connection with the preparation or publication of news, for nonprofit activities, or for academic research is not prohibited. A person who uses information in a manner contrary to these provisions will be prohibited from obtaining a copy or any further data.