From: "Harrington, Rachel" <rachel.harrington**At_Symbol_Here**ROSALINDFRANKLIN.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Question about Managing Consensus Standards
Date: June 5, 2012 3:52:02 PM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <2EAF8EFE98ADDC489FE87053F63F66231161DB1DF6**At_Symbol_Here**gimli.morehead-st.edu>

I think it's important to also point out that consensus standards are
very often adopted into the law, at the federal (e.g. OSHA), state and
local levels.

Making multiple copies of a copyrighted document for intentional
distribution is no different than loading the same software onto
multiple computers when you only purchased one copy. Companies are at
risk of prosecution in both cases. The non-profit organizations that
develop consensus standards depend on the revenue to operate. Asking for
a multiple use license agreement is usually the most cost effective and
the most fair arrangement.

Rachel E. Harrington, MPH, CHMM
Director- Office of Environmental, Health and Safety
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
North Chicago, IL 60064
847-578-3420 work
224-622-4244 mobile
847-775-6548 fax
LIFE IN DISCOVERY

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf
Of Rita Kay Calhoun
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:11 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Question about Managing Consensus Standards


Sorry to show my ignorance, but what is a consensus standard
that is purchased? Is it only found in industry?

Kay

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf
Of Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 1:13 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Question about Managing Consensus Standards

A question from someone who preferred to remain anonymous...

- Ralph

Hello,

I have a question related to how other organizations and professionals
view and manage consensus standards at their facility. Recently, a
manager at my corporation requested that I purchase a single license
consensus standard from an organization (such as ANSI) and then disburse
to another individual for use among a workgroup. After reading the
copyright agreement on the consensus standard I informed the colleague
that per the copyright agreement that this couldn't be done and that the
individual would need to purchase the standard himself and it could only
be for his sole use. The manager then replied that (these are not his
exact words) it was no big deal to purchase the standard and give to the
individual and no one would hold me to the copyright law. I understand
that the chances of being held and prosecuted for the disbursement of
one consensus standard would probably not occur; however, I refused the
manager's request on the basis of ethics and stated that the comp!
any would either have to purchase a multiple user license to the
standard which I would look into or the individual would have to buy the
standard himself.

Therefore, my question is just on how other companies and individuals
deal with the purchasing of consensus standards that are incorporated
into government regulations by reference (such as NEC 70E). Especially
since these standards can cost a lot of money to an individual or small
companies. I have already seen some individuals (not the manager stated
above) email consensus standards between other users as if it were not a
big deal. Also, I heard recently on a public radio program where a
group is trying to distribute these to the public for free
(http://www.onthemedia.org/2012/apr/13/making-laws-more-public/) .

Any thoughts or comments on this topic would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.
YSP (young safety professional)


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