ACCESS
Freedom of approach or communication; or the means, power, or opportunity of approaching, communicating, or passing to and from. Sometimes importing the occurrence of sexual intercourse; otherwise as importing opportunity of opportunity of communication for that purpose as between HUSBAND AND WIFE.
In real property law, the term access denotesthe right vested in the owner of the land thatadjoins a road or other highway to go and returnfrom his own land to the highway withoutobstruction. Access to property does not necessarilycarry with it possession.
For purposes of establishing element of accessby defendant in COPYRIGHT infringement action,access is ordinarily defined as opportunity to copy.
Prisoners are entitled to have access to court.Prison officials cannot prevent prisoners fromfiling papers or appearing in court even if theyhonestly think that such prevention would helpthem maintain discipline and good order.
Owners of real property are entitled to somemeans of access to their property from a road orhighway. They do not necessarily need to own acorridor of land from their property to the nearestroad, but they may claim an EASEMENT ofaccess.
In a paternity suit, access means the opportunityto have had sexual relations. When thereis a question about who is the father of a certainchild, it is appropriate for a court to determinewhich man had access to the mother around theestimated time of conception. A man chargedwith being the father of an illegitimate child mayplead the defense of multiple access—that themother had several lovers at the time of conception.
