Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in Technical Codes

✅The Pro Codes Act protects the intellectual property rights of standards development organizations while ensuring public access to technical codes.

🚀By making the codes available online for free, the legislation promotes innovation and updates in technical standards.

💡The Pro Codes Act strikes a balance between the needs of standards development organizations and the public by allowing them to monetize their work while providing access to essential codes.

🔒The legislation includes provisions to protect personally identifiable information and require machine-searchable formats for accessibility.

📚Local, state, and federal legislators rely on technical codes developed by standards development organizations to ensure safety and best practices.

What does the Pro Codes Act aim to achieve?

—The Pro Codes Act aims to protect the intellectual property rights of standards development organizations while ensuring public access to technical codes.

How does the legislation strike a balance between copyright protection and public access?

—The legislation allows organizations to retain their copyright while making the codes available online for free, promoting innovation and updates in technical standards.

What provisions does the Pro Codes Act include to protect privacy and ensure accessibility?

—The legislation includes provisions to protect personally identifiable information and requires machine-searchable formats for accessibility.

Why do legislators rely on technical codes developed by standards development organizations?

—Legislators rely on these codes to ensure safety, incorporate best practices, and maintain up-to-date regulations.

How does the Pro Codes Act benefit standards development organizations and the public?

—The legislation allows organizations to monetize their work while providing access to essential codes, benefiting both the organizations and the public by promoting safety and innovation.

00:00The chairman addresses the rules of the session, including the possibility of postponing further proceedings.

00:02The gentleman from California leads the pledge of allegiance.

00:09The committee discusses the bill HR1 1631, which aims to protect and enhance public access to codes.

02:52The gentleman from California gives an opening statement in support of the bill, highlighting the importance of technical codes for safety and regulation.

05:31The ranking member gives an opening statement, expressing his support for the bill and stressing the need for balance between copyright protection and public access to information.

11:13The chairman introduces an amendment in the nature of a substitute, which includes improvements to the original bill.