A recent court decision gave start-up UpCodes a win in its fight with the International Codes Council over intellectual property rights regarding building codes.
Upcodes hosts a database of one million sections of building codes from across the U.S. online in locations across the US. The company’s machine learning technology can match search results to location and relevancy to a project, streamlining the process of ascertaining building compliance with codes.
While the building codes are enacted as state and local law, groups such as ICC that create them consider them to be their intellectual property, and often charge users to access them. ICC sued UpCodes on this basis, with existing legal precedents unclear.
Last month, a U.S. District Court ruled that UpCodes’ use of the copyrighted codes fell under fair use law. This decision will allow UpCodes to use the ICC’s codes without their permission, so long as they’re doing so in an educational or transformative context.
But the fight isn’t over. The ICC has launched another suit against UpCodes, alleging false advertising and unfair competition.
Related Stories
Urban Planning | Jun 10, 2024
N.Y. governor halts Manhattan traffic congestion pricing plan
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she is indefinitely delaying the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan just weeks before the plan was to take effect. The controversial plan would have had drivers pay $15 to enter Manhattan south of 60th street.
Lighting | Jun 10, 2024
LEDs were nearly half of the installed base of lighting products in the U.S. in 2020
Federal government research shows a huge leap in the penetration of LEDs in the lighting market from 2010 to 2020. In 2010 and 2015, LED installations represented 1% and 8% of overall lighting inventory, respectively.
Contractors | Jun 7, 2024
First-in-nation law requires contractors to pay prevailing wage for subsidized housing projects in Minnesota
Minnesota recently adopted a first-in-nation law that requires contractors to pay prevailing wage for subsidized housing projects in the state. This action makes Minnesota the first state in the nation to mandate prevailing wages on projects funded by federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).
Multifamily Housing | Jun 3, 2024
Grassroots groups becoming a force in housing advocacy
A growing movement of grassroots organizing to support new housing construction is having an impact in city halls across the country. Fed up with high housing costs and the commonly hostile reception to new housing proposals, advocacy groups have sprung up in many communities to attend public meetings to speak in support of developments.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024
New York’s office to residential conversion program draws interest from 64 owners
New York City’s Office Conversion Accelerator Program has been contacted by the owners of 64 commercial buildings interested in converting their properties to residential use.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024
Seattle mayor wants to scale back energy code to spur more housing construction
Seattle’s mayor recently proposed that the city scale back a scheduled revamping of its building energy code to help boost housing production. The proposal would halt an update to the city’s multifamily and commercial building energy code that is scheduled to take effect later this year.
Resiliency | Jun 3, 2024
Houston’s buyout program has prevented flood damage but many more homes at risk
Recent flooding in Houston has increased focus on a 30-year-old program to buy out some of the area’s most vulnerable homes. Storms dropped 23 inches of rain on parts of southeast Texas, leading to thousands of homes being flooded in low-lying neighborhoods around Houston.
Healthcare Facilities | May 28, 2024
Healthcare design: How to improve the parking experience for patients and families
Parking is likely a patient’s—and their families—first and last touch with a healthcare facility. As such, the arrival and departure parking experience can have a profound impact on their experience with the healthcare facility, writes Beth Bryan, PE, PTOE, PTP, STP2, Principal, Project Manager, Walter P Moore.
MFPRO+ News | May 28, 2024
ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for New Homes and Apartments launched
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments, a voluntary certification program for new residential buildings. The program will increase national energy and emissions savings by accelerating the building industry’s adoption of advanced, energy-efficient technologies, according to an EPA news release.
Women in Design+Construction | May 28, 2024
Commerce Department launches Million Women in Construction Community Pledge
The U.S. Department of Commerce launched its Million Women in Construction Community Pledge this month to boost the ranks of women in construction companies. Federal investments are creating a construction boom that is increasing job opportunities for construction and trade workers.
