Introduction of Copyright Protection Legislation Draws Continued Support from ASHRAE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Buckley Washington
Senior Public Relations Specialist
kbwashington@ashrae.org
ATLANTA (March 17, 2023) – ASHRAE, along with other non-profit Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), announced continued endorsement of bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate to protect the copyrights of standards.
March 16, Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the Pro Codes Act (S.835) in the Senate, with Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) joining as original co-sponsors. The bipartisan bill will preserve copyright protection of codes and standards when they are incorporated by reference into federal regulations, state laws or municipal regulations.
“The rigorous, consensus-based standards developed by ASHRAE and other SDOs are essential to public health, sustainability, safety and security,” said 2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, Fellow ASHRAE. “ASHRAE proudly supports this legislation and will continue our work to provide vital standards for adoption or incorporation by reference – another step towards realizing our vision of a healthy and sustainable built environment for all.”
The bill states that the U.S. benefits greatly from the work of private standards development organizations with expertise in highly specialized areas.
Read S.835 in its entirety, here.
About ASHRAE
Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is a global professional society committed to serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and their allied fields.
As an industry leader in research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE and its members are dedicated to promoting a healthy and sustainable built environment for all, through strategic partnerships with organizations in the HVAC&R community and across related industries.
The Society is showcasing integrated building solutions and sustainability in action through the opening of the ASHRAE Global Headquarters building in metro-Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on ASHRAE, visit ashrae.org and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
###