The Pro Codes Act is key to balancing transparency with profitability.

Eileen Bramlet, “Copyright Alliance Issues Statement Supporting HJC Markup of Pro Codes Act,” Copyright Alliance, 04-17-2024, https://copyrightalliance.org/press-releases/pro-codes-act/

“The Pro Codes Act ensures that codes and standards created by standards development organizations (SDOs) continue to be protected by copyright when they are incorporated by reference into law as long as the SDO makes any codes or standards accessible without charge on a publicly available website. Codes and standards have long been protected by copyright, and the Pro Codes Act does not change that. What the Pro Codes Act does is guarantee that the public has access to any code or standard incorporated by reference into law that is created by an SDO as a condition of such continued protection.

“The balanced approach taken by the Pro Codes Act will help preserve the current system that has worked effectively for more than 125 years, one that incentivizes SDOs to continue creating codes and standards that benefit society, the economy, and public safety. Without effective copyright protections, there is grave risk that these organizations will no longer be able to produce the high-quality codes and standards that the public and lawmakers have come to rely on.