Congress Wants to Let Private Companies Own the Law

Congress is considering the Pro Codes Act, a bipartisan effort to allow private companies to own aspects of the law through copyright. This bill, proposed as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, aims to protect technical standards developed by private organizations, which are often referenced in laws. Critics argue that incorporating these standards by reference should make them public domain to ensure the law remains accessible to all. The bill's supporters claim that making standards available online for free enhances public access, but opponents argue that this approach still restricts access to the law to a single source. The issue of private ownership of the law has sparked controversy, with concerns raised about transparency and public access. Critics view this move as an attempt to privatize legal standards and limit public understanding of the law.