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facilitate public debate. See ASTM, 896 F.3d at 449; Def’s 2d Mot. at 16. Defendant’s “attempt to freely distribute” this standard, the text of which has been 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. However, the court finds that the incorporated standard does not provide information essential for a private entity to comprehend its legal duties, but rather is incorporated as a reference procedure. Accordingly, “while knowing the content of this incorporated standard might help inform one’s understanding of the law,” it “is not essential to complying with any legal duty,” and thus, Defendant’s use is less transformative and “its wholesale copying, in turn, less justified.” 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 text published by Defendant is identical to text that was 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 the text in ASTM C564-70 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 the text of ASTM C564-70 (1982) in its entirety.
- ASTM D1298 (1999):
- Defendant identifies 40 C.F.R. § 600.011 (2013) as the incorporating by reference regulation, see Becker Decl. ¶ 57, Ex. 90 at 18, which incorporates ASTM D 1298-99 (2005) for §§ 600.113–08(f) and (g), 600.113–12(f) and (g), 600.510–08(g), and 600.510–12(g). While the regulation incorporates ASTM D 1298-99 (2005), not the 1999 version that Defendant published, the text of the two standards is identical. See Pls. 2d SMF ¶ 35; Def. Statement of Disputed Facts at ¶ 35 (no objection); Def. Mot. at 10 (citing Def. 2d SMF ¶ 84).
Section 600.113–08(f) requires that fuels samples and methanol test fuel “shall be analyzed to determine … Specific gravity per ASTM D 1298.” 40 C.F.R. §§ 600.011(f)(1)(i)–(2)(ii). See also id. § 600.113-12(f)(2) (requiring same with respect to gasoline test fuel properties); id. § 600.113-12(f)(4) (requiring same with respect to ethanol test fuel). Section 600.510 requires that the “density for alcohol fuels shall be determined per ASTM D 1298.” Id. § 600.510-12(g)(1)(ii)(B). The regulation does not specify that only certain provisions of ASTM D 1298-99 (2005) are incorporated by reference into law, nor does it indicate which specific provisions of ASTM D 1298-
- Defendant identifies 40 C.F.R. § 600.011 (2013) as the incorporating by reference regulation, see Becker Decl. ¶ 57, Ex. 90 at 18, which incorporates ASTM D 1298-99 (2005) for §§ 600.113–08(f) and (g), 600.113–12(f) and (g), 600.510–08(g), and 600.510–12(g). While the regulation incorporates ASTM D 1298-99 (2005), not the 1999 version that Defendant published, the text of the two standards is identical. See Pls. 2d SMF ¶ 35; Def. Statement of Disputed Facts at ¶ 35 (no objection); Def. Mot. at 10 (citing Def. 2d SMF ¶ 84).
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