Pro Codes Act—Or, What If The Law Came Behind A Paywall?

Pro Codes Act—Or, What If The Law Came Behind A Paywall?

What if reading the law required a subscription? That’s the premise, promise, and peril of the so-called Pro Codes Act

Public Knowledge Opposes Bill Paywalling the Law

Yesterday, Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) reintroduced the “Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes” (PRO CODES) Act. The bill proposes copyrighting model standards, such as building and electric codes, often referenced in state and local laws. Public Knowledge, along with 22 other organizations, continues to warn that restricting access to laws governing safety and fire standards will imperil the safety of ordinar…