Case 1:13-cv-01215-TSC Document 239-1 Filed 03/31/22 Page 102 of 187
regulation, see Becker Decl. ¶ 57, Ex. 90; Wise Decl., Ex. 176, which incorporates the standard into § 159.125. Section 159.125 requires that “[d]uring the sewage processing test (§159.121) 40 effluent samples of approximately 1 liter each shall be taken from a Type I device at the same time as samples taken in §159.123 and passed expeditiously through a U.S. Sieve No. 12 as specified in ASTM E 11.” 33 C.F.R. § 159.125. The regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of ASTM E11 (1995) are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of ASTM E11 (1995) are relevant for compliance with the regulation.
- First Factor: There is no indication that Defendant stands to profit from republishing this standard; Defendant’s apparent purpose is to inform the public about the law and facilitate public debate. See ASTM, 896 F.3d at 449; Def’s 2d Mot. at 16. Defendant’s “attempt to freely distribute standards incorporated by reference into law qualifie[s] as a use that further[s] the purposes of the fair use defense.” ASTM, 896 F.3d at 449. Further, the incorporated standard provides information essential for a private entity to comprehend its legal duties, which weighs heavily in favor of permitting Defendant’s reproduction. See ASTM, 896 F.3d at 450.
- Second Factor: The “express text of the law falls plainly outside the realm of copyright protection.” ASTM, 896 F.3d at 451. Here, the standard is incorporated into law without limitation such that “the consequence of the incorporation by reference is virtually indistinguishable from a situation in which the standard had been expressly copied into law.” Id. at 452. Accordingly, “this factor weighs heavily in favor of fair use.” Id.
- Third Factor: The incorporating regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of this standard are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of the standard are relevant for regulatory compliance, suggesting that “a greater amount of the standard’s text might be fairly reproduced.” Id.
- Fourth Factor: Defendant’s reproductions have not had a “substantially adverse impact on the potential market for the originals,” nor have Plaintiffs shown by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a meaningful likelihood of future harm.” Memo Op. at 30–36 (internal quotation and citation marks omitted).
- Conclusion: Defendant may fairly reproduce this incorporated standard in its entirety.
- ASTM E1337 1990 (1996):
- The parties identify 49 C.F.R. § 571.126 (2008) as the incorporating by reference regulation, see Becker Decl. ¶ 57, Ex. 90; Wise Decl., Ex. 176, which incorporates the standard in S6.2.2. That section requires that “[t]he road test surface must produce a peak friction coefficient (PFC) of 0.9 when measured using an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1136–93 (1993) standard reference test tire, in accordance with ASTM Method E 1337–90 (Reapproved 1996), at a speed of 64.4 km/h (40 mph), without water delivery.” 49 C.F.R. § 571.126, S6.2.2. The regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of ASTM E1337 1990 (1996) are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of ASTM E1337 1990 (1996) are relevant for compliance with the regulation.
- First Factor: There is no indication that Defendant stands to profit from republishing
Page 102 of 187
