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Pro Codes Act

USA119th CongressHR-4072| House 
| Updated: 6/23/2025
Darrell Issa

Darrell Issa

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (3)
Lance Gooden (Republican)Dina Titus (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to amend title 17 of the United States Code to address the use of privately developed standards in public law. Congress recognizes the significant benefits derived from technical and voluntary consensus standards created by private standards development organizations (SDOs), which are often incorporated by reference into federal, state, and local laws and regulations. These standards, developed through open and balanced processes, foster innovation, commerce, and public safety without direct government cost, as SDOs fund their work through sales and licensing, relying on copyright protection. The legislation aims to strike a balance between preserving this revenue model and ensuring public access to standards that become part of the legal framework. The Act introduces a new section 123 to title 17, United States Code, establishing conditions under which copyrighted standards retain their protection when incorporated by reference into law. Specifically, a standard will maintain its copyright if the SDO makes all incorporated portions publicly accessible online at no monetary cost within a reasonable timeframe. This online access must include a searchable table of contents and index, or equivalent aids, to facilitate content location. The bill defines "publicly accessible online" to allow for account creation or terms of service, provided there is no monetary cost and no unauthorized use of personally identifiable information. Furthermore, the legislation places the burden of proof on any party asserting that an SDO has failed to meet these requirements.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6769
Pro Codes Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1631
Pro Codes Act
Jun 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6769
    Pro Codes Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1631
    Pro Codes Act


  • June 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4009: Pro Codes Act

Pro Codes Act

USA119th CongressHR-4072| House 
| Updated: 6/23/2025
This bill seeks to amend title 17 of the United States Code to address the use of privately developed standards in public law. Congress recognizes the significant benefits derived from technical and voluntary consensus standards created by private standards development organizations (SDOs), which are often incorporated by reference into federal, state, and local laws and regulations. These standards, developed through open and balanced processes, foster innovation, commerce, and public safety without direct government cost, as SDOs fund their work through sales and licensing, relying on copyright protection. The legislation aims to strike a balance between preserving this revenue model and ensuring public access to standards that become part of the legal framework. The Act introduces a new section 123 to title 17, United States Code, establishing conditions under which copyrighted standards retain their protection when incorporated by reference into law. Specifically, a standard will maintain its copyright if the SDO makes all incorporated portions publicly accessible online at no monetary cost within a reasonable timeframe. This online access must include a searchable table of contents and index, or equivalent aids, to facilitate content location. The bill defines "publicly accessible online" to allow for account creation or terms of service, provided there is no monetary cost and no unauthorized use of personally identifiable information. Furthermore, the legislation places the burden of proof on any party asserting that an SDO has failed to meet these requirements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-6769
Pro Codes Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1631
Pro Codes Act
Jun 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jun 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-6769
    Pro Codes Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1631
    Pro Codes Act


  • June 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • June 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Darrell Issa

Darrell Issa

Republican Representative

California

Cosponsors (3)
Lance Gooden (Republican)Dina Titus (Democratic)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)

Judiciary Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4009: Pro Codes Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted