This paper presents a summary of research conducted since 2006 on public funding of scientific contents by the Public Policy Group for Access to Information (GPOPAI). The results suggest that in the case of technical and scientific books and scientific articles, the private sector is creating and imposing barriers to access to knowledge, despite of intensive public investments in Brazil. In relation to software produced by universities, the community is completely indifferent and there is a lack of public policies for its access. Overall, the results indicate the need for a profound reform and update of copyright law regarding new information and communication technologies, considering the public interest in access to knowledge.